tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56246182011-04-21T15:42:22.507-04:00Mediocre Fred's Mediocre BlogValium for the soul. Don't worry, none of those pesky strong opinions here. All are welcome. No shirt, no shoes, no service.Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comBlogger2871100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1093888915331388662004-08-30T13:57:00.000-04:002004-08-30T14:01:55.330-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Movin' on Up"
IT'S FINALLY OFFICIAL!
I'm a Munuvian now! Henceforth, you can look for my musings and ramblings over at my new home. I hope those of you who have been kind enough to blogroll me in the past will update your links and spread the word. For the next week or so, I'll probably be focused more on spiffing up my new digs than on posting new material, so we'llColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1093295449472940042004-08-23T17:04:00.000-04:002004-08-23T17:10:49.473-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Vacation" by the Go-Gos
I NEED A WEEK OFF
So I'm going to take it. I need to recharge my batteries, so I'm going to depart the scene for this week. See you next Monday. The regularly scheduled Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice column will run next Tuesday.
A brief note to Ensie at Both Hands: I'm glad you appreciated the link. Let's be blog friends! I recommend that myColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1093027583534024112004-08-20T13:11:00.000-04:002004-08-20T14:46:23.533-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Oh Boy" by Buddy Holly
YET ANOTHER RAMBLING FRIDAY
Hey there, everybody! Well, I've finally returned to a normal orbit after the excitement of yesterday. That means it's time for our usual gumbo of witless, uninteresting bits of information strung together in random fashion. Let's get started!
First off, to all you Yankee fans out there: I told you so. When the Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1092938152231666222004-08-19T13:39:00.000-04:002004-08-19T13:55:52.233-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang
I'M FAMOUS! (WELL, NOT EXACTLY)
Well, I thought my year was made yesterday when I got to meet Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post. (It certainly made Frinklin jealous.) Well, imagine my emotion when I open up today's paper and find myself quoted in Boswell's column! (That's me at the end calling Loudoun County a "cow pasture." And Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1092869182003718702004-08-18T16:00:00.000-04:002004-08-18T18:46:22.003-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
NOTES FROM FARRAGUT SQUARE
Howdy, everybody! I had a surprisingly good day today, all thanks to the Baltimore Orioles' DC FanFest. I'm sure that most of you find this hard to believe, which is understandable. I find it hard to believe myself. And some of you are probably wondering why I'd be at the FanFest in the first place. So for you Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1092776287073681832004-08-17T14:20:00.000-04:002004-08-17T16:58:07.073-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Chariots of Fire"
THE OLYMPICS AND ME
Hello, everyone! Today I'm going to write about the Olympics, largely because everyone else is. It's one of those big conversation topics, you know? Unfortunately, there's a little problem for me in writing about the Olympics. Specifically, I haven't watched a minute of them. I haven't watched a significant portion of the Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1092701887319670242004-08-16T16:53:00.000-04:002004-08-16T20:18:07.320-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Never Can Say Goodbye" by the Jackson 5
CALLING ALL ROMANTICS
Hello, friends and readers! I hope you all had a fine weekend. Mine was fine, though a little rainy thanks to the edges of Hurricane "Chuck" blowing through the Fedroplex. Today, I offer you the latest romantic stylings of Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice, coming to us today from Buffalo, New York, where Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1092428648040870562004-08-13T14:19:00.000-04:002004-08-13T16:24:08.040-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Vacation" by the Go-Gos
BACK FROM THE GREAT BEYOND
Hello, all! As promised, I've returned from my out-of-town engagement. And I was going to post the latst Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice column as promised, but then Governor McGreevey of New Jersey had his press conference, and I made a decision on the fly to wait on our romantic-advice column until next week.
For Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1092087234002122002004-08-09T16:04:00.000-04:002004-08-09T17:33:54.003-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A MEDIOCRE FRED EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Hi, everybody! Today I have a special treat for you. As you have probably heard, yesterday Alan Keyes formally accepted the Republican nomination for the Illinois Senate race. I was unable to reach Keyes for an interview, but I did learn something that I'll bet you didn't know: one of the "Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091995793307763232004-08-08T14:11:00.000-04:002004-08-08T16:09:53.306-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action" by Elvis Presley
MEDIOCRE FRED IS ALL RIGHT
Howdy, folks! I hope no one was unduly concerned about my absence on Friday. I tried to post something, but technical difficulties prevented me from accessing Blogger. (Surprise, surprise, right?) And yesterday I was busy getting my tail kicked by Papa Shaft at baseball. So Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091741680230165272004-08-05T16:11:00.000-04:002004-08-05T17:34:40.230-04:00ONE THING I DID WANT TO POINT OUT...
If this story is true, Ricky Williams is a fraud. According to SI's Mike Silver, Ricky Williams is contemplating a return to the NFL with Oakland in 2005. Reportedly, Williams likes the California lifestyle (insert your own Jerry Garcia jokes here), and he's a big fan of Oakland head coach Uncle Norv Turner, who used to be Miami's offensive coordinator. He Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-109173121506409622004-08-05T14:21:00.000-04:002004-08-05T14:40:15.063-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Hell's Bells" by AC/DC
TAKING THE DAY OFF
I'm still recovering from the Blogiversary Bash, so I'm going to have to skip it today. In the highly likely event that the bash confused you, all my guests have appeared in the blog at least once in the past year. It was a wild time that definitely will not be repeated.
In the meantime, if you're looking for something to Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091653624321802732004-08-04T12:51:00.000-04:002004-08-04T17:07:04.320-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Birthday" by the Beatles
IT'S BLOGIVERSARY TIME!
Howdy, folks! Guess what... it's my blogiversary! Actually, to be totally technically accurate, it was my blogiversary last week, but my social secretary neglected to inform me at the time, possibly because I don't have a social secretary. But no matter. In honor of this grand occasion, I threw a Blogiversary Bash hereColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091566645027731362004-08-03T13:32:00.000-04:002004-08-03T16:57:25.026-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Walk Like a Man" by the Four Seasons
LET'S GET SMALL
Hello, everyone! Today I was having trouble finding something to write about, and I wound up finding something interesting over at Wonkette's site. I admit that Wonkette is something of a guilty pleasure of mine. I was discussing her the other day with The Smart Lady, who doesn't care for Wonkette. And I'll grant Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091484201379461442004-08-02T15:23:00.000-04:002004-08-03T13:31:47.130-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Sold" by John Michael Montgomery
TRADING DEADLINE BREAKDOWN
Howdy, folks! Well, it looks like the baseball owners complied with my request for more trading action, and therefore I do indeed have some trades to break down in my inimitable style. For those of you who weren't reading me last year (which is almost all of you), be advised that I'm not one for the Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091223596111174742004-07-30T13:54:00.000-04:002004-07-30T17:39:56.110-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Can't Explain" by the Who
THERE'S NO NONSENSE LIKE THIS NONSENSE...
Hello there, everyone! Well, the Democratic convention is officially over. John Kerry reportedly gave a very effective and well-received speech. I say "effectively" because I personally missed it, having become inexplicably fascinated by the "Celebrity Poker Showdown" over on Bravo. Yes, I am Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091129380153756562004-07-29T12:20:00.000-04:002004-07-29T15:29:40.153-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Yakety Yak" by the Coasters
THE NEW GENERATION AND THE OLD
Hello again, all! Today, a day after everyone else, I'll say a few words about Barack Obama, the speaker who electrified the convention on Tuesday. Then, with a tremendous crashing of gears and no apparent connection, I'll talk a little bit about Randy Johnson as the trading deadline approaches. Try not to Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1091043436424557212004-07-28T12:20:00.000-04:002004-07-29T15:55:20.100-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Hard-Headed Woman" by Elvis Presley
WILD ABOUT TERESA
Good day, everyone! Today I'm thinking about Teresa Heinz Kerry, in the wake of her speech at the Democratic convention last night. (Most everyone's buzzing about Barack Obama, and deservedly so; I'll cover him tomorrow.) I'm inspired to write about Teresa because of some negative commentary posted about her Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090958244035468582004-07-27T13:45:00.000-04:002004-07-27T15:57:24.036-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "With Every Beat Of My Heart" by Josie and the Pussycats
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Hello there, all! After a suitable fortnightly wait, Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice have returned to proffer romantic advice for the quietly desperate masses out there. Our cuddly couple comes to us today from Birmingham, Alabama, where Uncle Millie says he's "looking for some Southern Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090876236299811752004-07-26T14:45:00.000-04:002004-07-26T17:10:36.300-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Easy Come, Easy Go" by Bobby Sherman
HALL THOUGHTS
Hello there, everyone! Today the big buzz is about Ricky Williams' retirement, about which I don't have much to say. Football isn't my favorite sport, and besides, it's not clear exactly why he did it. (Hei Lun over at Begging to Differ offers up an interesting theory, that Williams was about to face major suspensionColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090614269407694272004-07-23T14:42:00.000-04:002004-07-23T16:24:29.406-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "The Grooviest Girl in the World" by the Fun & Games
LET'S GET READY TO RAMBLE!
Hello there, all! It's Friday at last, which means it's time to prattle on in aimless and disjointed fashion. Woohoo!
Today I'd like to begin with last night's Jeopardy! episode, which was fascinating. It was a case study in the ongoing saga of Alex and Ken. Allow me to share some notes, Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090527992102084412004-07-22T14:29:00.000-04:002004-07-22T16:26:32.103-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealer's Wheel
THE POLITICS OF THE WHOLE LOAF
Hi there, everyone. Today I find myself with a new reason to be irked by the Bush administration: politicking over the tax cuts. This doesn't have to do with the fact of the tax cuts themselves. It has to do with the fact that, once again, the Bush administration refuses to accept Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090440810572931732004-07-21T14:07:00.000-04:002004-07-21T18:56:36.286-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Drivin' My Life Away" by Eddie Rabbitt
AN ODE TO KEN JEOPARDY
Hey there, everyone! As promised, today I plan to write about something lighter, Jeopardy! uber-mensch Ken Jennings, or as Tony Kornheiser calls him, "Ken Jeopardy." At first, I was raring to write a good lengthy piece on the subject, and then I saw this piece by Bill Simmons. For those of you out there Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090353991351153592004-07-20T14:26:00.000-04:002004-07-20T16:06:31.350-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Radar Love" by Golden Earring
DOING HARD TIME
Hello there, everyone. So, did everyone enjoy yesterday's column on Ohio state politics? It was extremely wonk-oriented, I know. The Smart Lady expressed this opinion to me, that the column was not so much for general consumption. And I told her that I didn't care. If you really want to enjoy my work, you have to Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090274688893884962004-07-19T14:05:00.000-04:002004-07-20T16:23:30.323-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Love Rollercoaster" by the Ohio Players
BACK TO OHIO
Hello, all. I hope everyone had a fine weekend. Today I want to look at Ohio, a state I'm rather fond of, through the lens of the upcoming presidential election. Slate unveiled its latest swing-state profile on the Buckeye State. Both campaigns have tabbed Ohio as crucial to their hopes for victory. The Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1090014434679297122004-07-16T13:50:00.000-04:002004-07-16T17:47:14.680-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Ha" by Napoleon XIV
FRIDAY CHANNEL SURFING
Hey there, everyone. Today being Friday, rambling will of course be the order of the day. But today, I've decided to try rambling with a theme. If it works, perhaps I'll try rambling with a theme on future Fridays. Today's theme is: Stuff I've Seen on Television.
The first thing I've Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-108992352468103282004-07-15T15:20:00.000-04:002004-07-15T16:32:04.680-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "I Will" by the Beatles
STOP THIS STATE, I WANNA GET OFF!
Hello there, all. Today I want to emit one of my periodic blasts against my home state, Virginia. Alert readers are probably aware by now that Virginia is a schizophrenic state, containing a bizarre admixture of tech barons and bureaucrats in the north with old-fashioned antebellum country folks down south. Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1089826132363596242004-07-14T12:34:00.000-04:002004-07-14T13:28:52.363-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Cheap Seats" by Alabama
MY ALL-STAR THOUGHTS
Hey there, everybody! I've got some exciting news to share with all of you, and I'll get to that at the end of today's entry. First, though, I want to share with you my thoughts on the All-Star Game, which took place last night at Don't-Call-Us-Enron Field in Houston.
MLB's is the only all-star showdown I watch with Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1089739426264414882004-07-13T12:04:00.000-04:002004-07-13T14:48:25.520-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Searching For a Heart" by Warren Zevon
A STRANGE ROMANTIC BREW
Good day, everyone! Before I deposit you in the advice-giving arms of Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice once again, I wanted to speak on behalf of baseball fans everywhere regarding last night's home-run derby: Miguel Tejada?! I mean, my God! 15 home runs in one round! That is the most in All-Star history. Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1089668185320827572004-07-12T16:34:00.000-04:002004-07-12T18:38:15.020-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles
FAREWELL TO A FRIEND
Hello, all. I hope it was a pleasant weekend for everybody. For me, the weekend was colored by the death of Jeff Smith. The name is probably not familiar to most of you. It might become more familiar if I tell you that he was the Frugal Gourmet. For many of you, he might still not be familiar, or familiar Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1089405933131146792004-07-09T16:44:00.000-04:002004-07-09T18:28:11.976-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" by Dionne Warwick
FRIDAY STEW
Hello there, all! It's a pretty warm Friday in the Fedroplex... summer appears to be here to stay now (as it usually is in July). We have copious quantities of heat and humidity to look forward to. Oh, goody.
What shall we talk about today? How about with my favorite Slate columnist, Mickey Kaus? I Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1089319974709044672004-07-08T16:52:00.000-04:002004-07-08T16:52:54.710-04:00SORRY, FOLKS
Just not feeling it today. I don't know what it is about Thursdays. I shall return tomorrow. See you then!Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1089221966570205302004-07-07T12:45:00.000-04:002004-07-07T14:39:53.006-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Good Day Sunshine" by the Beatles
FEELIN' GROOVY
Hey there, everyone! I'm feeling more upbeat about the Kerry-Edwards ticket today. I've observed a bit of it in action, and I like what I see. While I still don't think that Edwards will make the best vice president, I do think he's the best running mate Kerry could have chosen. For the campaign, I think Edwards is Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1089135725416674592004-07-06T12:43:00.000-04:002004-07-06T15:05:38.163-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Hell's Bells" by AC/DC
WE HAVE A TICKET!
Hello, all. As you can surmise, I did not wind up posting yesterday. Too much else going on. Today I was going to regale you all with tales of my Pittsburgh weekend, but John Kerry decided to go ahead and upstage me with a dispatch of his own from Pittsburgh, tapping John Edwards as his running mate. I'm not bitter about KerryColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088788525801145122004-07-02T12:27:00.000-04:002004-07-02T13:56:04.913-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Communication Breakdown" by Led Zeppelin
IN A LONG-WEEKEND STATE OF MIND
Hi there, everyone. As per usual, it's time for the Friday ramble-fest. Tomorrow morning, Papa Shaft and I set sail for Pittsburgh. Mentally, I'm already there, standing on line at Primanti Brothers. But let's see what I can dredge up for your entertainment.
Ah, here's an item in today's Post, Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088723638986081272004-07-01T18:59:00.000-04:002004-07-01T19:14:48.683-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Strange Brew" by Cream
SORRY, FOLKS
I had a decision to make today. Either I could torture all of you with a recounting of my physical decrepitude in the wake of last night's volleyball game, or I could take the day off. I tried and tried to think of something better to write about, but all I can think about is whether I'm going to be able to walk when I'm 40. Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088616589422394992004-06-30T12:26:00.000-04:002004-06-30T13:54:21.240-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "I Truly, Truly Believe" by the Temptations
TURNING THE PAGE ON JACK RYAN
Hello there, everyone. Today I want to take on final look back at the abandoned Senate campaign of Jack Ryan, courtesy of Clarence Page, who wrote a column I rather liked on the subject. This column is one of my favorite types: it makes a compelling, intriguing argument in support of a Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088529744503136442004-06-29T12:16:00.000-04:002004-06-29T15:12:55.353-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Lady" by Styx
HIGH ON LOVE
Hello again, all! My spirits are revived today, which is too bad for all of you, since I'm not writing anything today. Instead, as per fortnightly custom, Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice ride again, spreading romantic advice across the countryside. Today our fun-loving couple is in Bozeman, Montana, for reasons I can't imagine. I'm sure Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088443250368845832004-06-28T12:24:00.000-04:002004-06-28T19:22:56.926-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Fly Like an Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band
WEEKEND REHASH
Good day, all. Or at least I'm told it is. It's a grumpy Monday for your pal Mediocre Fred, but I'll do my best not to let that bleed into today's post. I'll do that by focusing on some of the things that happened this weekend, which was overall very enjoyable.
Let's start off with one of my famous Food Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088196765220787622004-06-25T16:44:00.000-04:002004-06-25T16:52:45.220-04:00A COUPLE THINGS I FORGOT
Jack Ryan is officially out of the Illinois Senate race. It's almost a shame. I guess this means I'll have to find some new material next week.
Also, seems that Dick Cheney invited Pat Leahy to "Go f*** yourself" during a discussion in the Senate the other day. I think it's pretty evident now that Cheney isn't going to be renominated. Just like we knew Joe Trippi's daysColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088184557428565312004-06-25T12:29:00.000-04:002004-06-25T16:26:50.120-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Loverboy" by Billy Ocean
TOO TIRED EVEN TO THINK OF A GOOD TITLE
Hello, all. Well, an exhausting week draws to a close. Jack Ryan is reportedly teetering on the edge of withdrawing from the race. (I had to mention that, in keeping with our Jump On Jack week theme.) Republicans are reportedly scoping out a replacement. (Is anyone else sick of the whole last-minute Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088099736966790472004-06-24T12:30:00.000-04:002004-06-24T14:40:57.466-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Just Plain Folks" by Lonesome Rhodes
WE'VE GOT EXPOS RELOCATION FEVER!
Hello there, everyone! Picking up on a thread I mentioned briefly yesterday, I'd like to discuss the fate of the Montreal Expos. Having grown up in Fedroplex, and being fully aware of our history of near-miss attempts to land a team here over the years, I've developed a certain callused cynicism Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1088011872766464192004-06-23T12:30:00.000-04:002004-06-23T14:02:55.590-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Blues Beach" by Steely Dan
TALKING POLITICS... AND SPORTS
Hey there, everyone! Today we display a stunning lack of originality in hitting two of my favorite subjects, politics and sports. Very male sorts of things to talk about, no? You can almost feel the dark wood paneling of the Elks Lodge closing in on you. So fire up a stogie and away we go!
Let's begin by Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087925867318953492004-06-22T12:15:00.000-04:002004-06-22T13:37:47.316-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Tell Me Something Good" by Chaka Khan
SEX SCANDAL HULLABALOO
Hello again, all! Today I want to talk about sex. (Oh, boy!) What with Bill Clinton's autobiography "My Life As A Cheatin' Horndog (And Also President)" out on the streets, everyone's fondly reminiscing about the days when sex was a big-time scandal. Not WMDs, not Halliburton, not who knew what about who Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087846128870212382004-06-21T12:48:00.000-04:002004-06-21T15:28:48.870-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Sleep Walk" by Santo and Johnny
LOOKING FOR THE "ON" SWITCH
Hello there, all. Exhausting weekend here, for a variety of reasons, so this figures to be somewhat short. My apologies.
The big news on the national desk is that Connecticut Governor John Rowland is planning to resign. Rowland is the same fellow who turned his office into a real money-making opportunity:
Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087588832133866592004-06-18T15:24:00.000-04:002004-06-18T16:00:32.133-04:00UPDATE: C2 REVIEW
This just in... I was taking my afternoon constitutional (a reasonably insane proposition given the weather) and as I was wandering toward Farragut Square I heard music. Putting my old journalistic training to work, I went to investigate.
About my journalistic training: I was on the staff of my high-school paper all four years. And if I learned anything during my stint there, Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087580247692181192004-06-18T12:31:00.000-04:002004-06-18T13:37:27.693-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Heart and Soul" by T'Pau
NONSENSE ON PARADE!
Hello, everyone! It's a beastly hot day in the Fedroplex (heat index in the vicinity of 100, I'm told) and I'm currently erecting a shrine to Willis Carrier (father of air conditioning, don'tchaknow?) and sipping a cool Pepsi. A lot of this and that to get to today, so let's get to it.
Kudos to my man Frinklin for Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087493399493196232004-06-17T12:44:00.000-04:002004-06-17T13:29:59.493-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "We Are The Champions" by Queen
THE THRILL OF VICTORY
Hey there, everybody! Last night I had one of those glorious evenings that weekend warriors everywhere dream of. I returned to the office volleyball game for the first time since my ankle injury. And my team emerged victorious, which was quite an upset. The other side featured my boss and the company president, theColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087406192004832032004-06-16T12:34:00.000-04:002004-06-16T14:14:57.366-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Busted" by Ray Charles
A GLORIOUS CHAMPIONSHIP
Hello there, all! A special word of welcome to Michiganders and Pistons fans. How about that game last night? I desperately needed sleep yesterday, but I blew off my better instincts and stayed up for the end of it. Rarely in my life have I seen such a complete dismantling on the court, and never in a championship. The Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087320329325069032004-06-15T12:32:00.000-04:002004-06-15T17:15:02.416-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Raunchy" by Bill Justis
LOVE, AMERICAN-STYLE
Hello, everybody! As promised, Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice are back for another round of romantic advice. They are coming to us today from Findlay, Ohio, for reasons which will undoubtedly become clear during the column. But don't let me keep you in suspense; take it away, Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice!
- - - - -
Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087243557666611252004-06-14T15:59:00.000-04:002004-06-14T16:05:57.666-04:00UPDATE: RIP RALPH WILEY
Stunning, shocking news: ESPN's Ralph Wiley is dead of heart failure. He was only 52. What can I say? I've praised Wiley's writing several times before, and it was all deserved. Yes, the jive-talk Road Dog routine was occasionally too much, and he did hop up on the racial soapbox an awful lot, but when he was on, he was on. Very few sportswriters -- hell, very few writersColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087242189913038412004-06-14T14:14:00.000-04:002004-06-14T15:43:09.913-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton
SHADES OF BROWN
Hi, everyone. Well, today's buzz seems to be all about last night's NBA Finals Game 4, won by the Pistons to take a 3-1 series lead. I, of course, missed it. Basketball isn't my favorite sport, and I was tuned in to AMC's showing of "The Blues Brothers," my favorite film (and an appropriate memorial to Ray Charles, who was Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1087174169309799722004-06-13T19:47:00.001-04:002004-06-13T20:50:30.086-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Amazing Grace"
A FEW QUICK PEACEFUL THOUGHTS
Hi, everybody. I just had a couple thoughts to share from my experience of the end of Reagan Memorial Week. Since I had to work on Friday, I did not see the ceremonies in Washington, but I was home in time to see the interment ceremonies in Simi Valley, delivered via ABC. This may have not been the best choice, since PeterColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086979386860983662004-06-11T14:20:00.000-04:002004-06-11T15:56:18.046-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Bits and Pieces" by the Dave Clark Five
WELCOME TO THE SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATER!
Hello, everyone. This being Friday, it's time for random ramblings on whatever happens to cross my mind as I'm writing this. How many of you caught the reference in the title? For the unaware, Short Attention Span Theater was a show of Comedy Central back in the early-to-mid-'90s, Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086886979522409342004-06-10T12:34:00.000-04:002004-06-10T13:02:59.523-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Dazed and Confused" by Led Zeppelin
IN THE WRITING DOLDRUMS
Hey there, everyone. Ever have one of those days when you're not thinking about anything in particular? That's where I am today. I'm burned out on politics for the moment. I've said all I have to say about Reagan. I can't think of anything besides the obvious to say about the torture memo (it's appalling andColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086800189169352332004-06-09T12:38:00.000-04:002004-06-09T14:28:09.713-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Magic" by Pilot
THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
Hello, everyone. I've been musing a little more about Ronald Reagan, thanks to some late-night TV trolling yesterday. Bored with the Pistons-Lakers game, I started surfing and landed on C-SPAN, where a number of Republican Congressmen were holding forth on their love and appreciation for Reagan. I didn't stay long, but IColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086719988538919162004-06-08T12:28:00.000-04:002004-06-08T14:39:48.540-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Join Together" by The Who
TRYING TO REASON TOGETHER
Hello there, everyone. I'm still decompressing after that Game 7 last night (thoughts below). Today I want to revisit the subject of political discourse, thanks to some more thoughtful comments from my loyal readers.
Let's start with Tripp, who gave us the story of his own political background:
I started out a Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086629647309436592004-06-07T12:25:00.000-04:002004-06-07T17:16:26.976-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Convoy" by C.W. McCall
MORE COMMENTS, AND REAGAN THOUGHTS
Hello there, everyone. As promised, I've tracked down Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice, who have graciously agreed to reply to loyal reader Tripp's comments during their off-week. I'll be back after their comments which some thoughts on the weekend in sports, and a few words on the passing of Ronald Reagan (Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086554897472129132004-06-06T15:15:00.000-04:002004-06-06T16:48:17.473-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Bright Future in Sales" by Fountains of Wayne
WEEKEND DISPATCHES
Hello, everyone! As promised, I'm making up for the weekday gremlins with a bonus weekend post. I'm still recovering from last night's Stanley Cup Game 6 (more on that below), but fortunately some of my loyal readers have left thoughtful comments, which gives me something to write about without having Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086370009582109302004-06-04T12:33:00.000-04:002004-06-04T14:07:19.240-04:00Today's Musical Selection: Anything by Rage Against the Machine
FRIDAY POTPOURRI... HOPE, HOPE, HOPE
Hello there, everyone. The gremlins are after me with a vengeance... swallowed yesterday's post, knocked out the comments a couple more times. Enough to make a fellow want to hang up his keyboard.
Nonetheless, I'm back again for another valiant attempt at posting. Here's hoping this one will Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086196247905136242004-06-02T12:29:00.000-04:002004-06-02T16:44:32.503-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Centerfold" by J. Geils Band
LOVE DELAYED IS NOT LOVE DENIED
Hello, everybody. Sorry about yesterday; technical difficulties prevented me from posting yesterday. (The gremlins appear to be plaguing me; I notice that the comments have also vanished mysteriously.) I'll try to make up for the lost post on the weekend; in the meantime, here is the Uncle Millie and Aunt Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1086031944683894072004-05-31T14:09:00.000-04:002004-05-31T15:32:24.683-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Ready to Go" by Republica
YOU CALL THIS A KICKOFF TO SUMMER?
Hello again, everyone! So here we are on Memorial Day, the unofficial "start of summer," and here in the Fedroplex it's... raining. Ahh, fabulous. Where's my barbecue grill?
I have a couple of topics I want to tackle today: politics and footwear. Let's start with the politics. Loyal reader Frinklin of Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085774635732402212004-05-28T15:51:00.000-04:002004-05-28T16:03:55.733-04:00BONUS UPDATE: RAUL MONDESI IS A FRAUD
This just in: Former Pirates outfielder Raul Mondesi, who quit and went home to the Dominican Republic because he had "family issues," has just signed a contract with the Anaheim Angels for $1.75 million. Mondesi had said he "feared for his family's safety". I guess they'll feel safer with him playing even farther from home, as long as it's for a pennant Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085765679364272042004-05-28T12:42:00.000-04:002004-05-28T14:25:16.670-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Mr. President, Have Pity On the Working Man" by Randy Newman
PROUD TO BE A VIRGINIAN (FOR ONCE)
Hello there, all! Sorry again about yesterday... recovering from erratic sleep habits and battling a low-grade cold. It was a choicec between taking the day off or producing another embarrassing, lame effort like Wednesday. I opted to maintain what minial standards we haveColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085697644012527752004-05-27T18:32:00.000-04:002004-05-27T18:40:44.013-04:00SORRY, FOLKS
Hello, everyone. I'm dead. Not literally, but it sure feels that way. I could use a good solid month of sleep, but seeing as how that's not in the offing, I'll settle for laying down and staying still for a while. However, my relaxation plans preclude blogging, so I'm taking the day off. See you tomorrow!Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085599445689709772004-05-26T14:12:00.000-04:002004-05-26T15:24:05.690-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Twisting" by They Might Be Giants
WHO NEEDS A CONVENTION, ANYWAY?
Good day, all. I can't say I'm feeling particularly inspired today, so I'll take a shot at a much-talked-about idea that John Kerry is considering: delaying acceptance of the nomination until September. Why would he do this? Simple: Once he accepts the nomination, he'll be bound by the $75 million Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085507614048062792004-05-25T12:12:00.000-04:002004-05-25T13:53:34.046-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Hit That" by Offspring
TALKIN' HOCKEY, PART II
Hello, everyone! Today we continue our overview of the struggling NHL through the prism of the Western Conference champion, the Calgary Flames. Currently, the Flames are the hobby-horse of old-time hockey fans (like me) who simply could not abide the thought of the Stanley Cup being hoisted in Florida. We old-time fans Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085420946079220822004-05-24T12:36:00.000-04:002004-05-24T14:08:05.590-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Dirty Little Religion" by Warren Zevon
TALKIN' HOCKEY
Hello, everyone! Hope you had a fine weekend. Mine went well enough. Today I'd like to pay a visit to the NHL, on the eve of the Stanley Cup opener between Calgary and Tampa Bay. Personally, I'm pulling like hell for the Flames, but that's not my primary point. I wanted to point out that the Calgary vs. Tampa Bay Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085156052831695322004-05-21T11:40:00.000-04:002004-05-21T14:16:58.070-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Dancing in the Moonlight" by King Harvest
ANOTHER WEEK DRAWS TO A CLOSE
Hi, everybody! We have some random nonsense to get to today, as per usual. Let's start with something thoughtful, a comment from loyal reader Tripp concerning Monday's post on cicadas and fear:
I'm with you on the fear thing. In the early 90s I spent about a year in the south of England, and Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085070026548621902004-05-20T12:08:00.000-04:002004-05-20T14:00:00.366-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Down in the Bottom" by Howlin' Wolf
SOMETIMES I THINK HE'S TOO GOOD FOR THIS GAME
Hello, everyone. It was a day of highs and lows in the sporting world yesterday. The highs (Calgary advancing to the Stanley Cup finals, and Kevin Garnett carrying the Timberwolves to a Game 7 victory) were great, but there's not much to say about them. It's the low that I want to talk Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1085003149671318152004-05-19T17:28:00.000-04:002004-05-19T17:46:21.670-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations
A LITTLE SOMETHING QUICK
Hi, folks. My regular blogging time was subsumed by work today (work! the indignity!) and so I'll just hit you with a couple quick thoughts here at day's end.
Hei Lun at Begging to Differ has a nice post ripping that "don't buy gas today so we can bankrupt the oil companies" e-mail tha's been Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1084899760979875272004-05-18T12:27:00.000-04:002004-05-18T16:15:22.090-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Enter Sandman" by Metallica
THEY'RE BACK!
Hey, everybody! Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice are back. It's their third appearance in the span of a week, which is fairly impressive. Particularly for Uncle Millie. You may not realize this, but advice-giving is difficult and trying work. A good advice columnist needs a few basic essentials, most notably a basic level of Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1084814199126040462004-05-17T12:30:00.000-04:002004-05-17T13:36:17.283-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Spiders and Snakes" by Jim Stafford
CICADA MADNESS TAKES WASHINGTON!
Hey there, everybody. I hope a pleasant weekend was had by all. Me, I spent most of the weekend mastering the crutches. I've become pretty proficient, by most accounts. Send your best healing energies this way, if you would.
Being hobbled as I am, I'm particularly vulnerable to the Fedroplex's Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1084571669263858062004-05-14T16:45:00.000-04:002004-05-14T17:54:29.263-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Running on Ice" by Billy Joel
SENDING IN A PINCH-HITTER
Hello again, everyone. Well, I'm still drugged up, so I'm pretty well shot as far as useful ideas go. But I asked Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice if they'd step in for a day, and reply to a comment posted by loyal reader Tripp. They said they would, and I thank them for it. I'll be back afterward with a couple Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1084489384318807312004-05-13T18:35:00.000-04:002004-05-13T19:03:04.316-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Help!" by the Beatles
MEDIOCRE FRED TAKES ONE FOR THE TEAM
Hello, all. I have one fewer good ankle than when we spoke last. I ripped up my ankle playing volleyball with my co-workers last night. I went up to the net to block a spike by my boss. I blocked it successfully, but I came down on my ankle and ripped up a bunch of ligaments. We went on to win the game, and IColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1084387906524732272004-05-12T12:48:00.000-04:002004-05-12T14:51:46.523-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Dare to be Stupid" by Weird Al Yankovic
O MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND
Hello, all. Today I want to spotlight our neighbor to the north. No, not Canada. I mean the neighbor to my personal north, Maryland. What's going on in Maryland? Well, it's in a bit of a political meltdown.
When I was growing up, I always thought Maryland was a good political state. My state (Virginia) Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1084296793696046462004-05-11T12:23:00.000-04:002004-05-11T14:09:46.853-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "I Feel Free" by Cream
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
Hello, everyone! As promised, today we have the Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice column that was supposed to run last week. America's sweethearts phoned in this week's column from Kansas City. As for why they're there... well, read the column and find out. And without further ado, I turn the keys over to Uncle Millie and Aunt Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1084211799162154792004-05-10T12:38:00.000-04:002004-05-10T13:56:39.163-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate
A CUP OF JOE
Hello, everyone! I hope you had a fine weekend. I surely did, thanks in large part to The Smart Lady. The highlight of our weekend was Saturday evening, when we read "Pygmalion" out loud together. This is the kind of uber-dork activity that makes our friends start wondering about us, but don't knock it until you've tried Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083949909283927242004-05-07T13:11:00.000-04:002004-05-07T14:08:40.483-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers
FREE TERESA HEINZ KERRY!
Hello, everyone! It's Friday at last, and there are a couple things on my mind. I'll explain the headline below, but first I want to touch on those two articles I linked at the end of yesterday's piece.
Let's start with Michael Wilbon's column on the NBA. Most of you outside the Fedroplex probably Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083865774848756252004-05-06T13:49:00.000-04:002004-05-06T13:52:47.593-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Idiots" by Organized Rhyme
THREADS COMING TOGETHER
Greetings, all. Today, I'm going to write something that will look suspiciously like a Friday jumble of slop. In fact, it is a Friday-ish jumble of slop. I can hear you grumbling, "Oh, so that's how it is, huh? He flakes out on Monday and Tuesday and bails out on Thursday? What a lazy ass." I understand your Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083779493191667432004-05-05T13:51:00.000-04:002004-05-05T13:54:44.903-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett
AT LAST, THE WEEK BEGINS
Hello, everyone! I'm back on track after a rocky last couple days. Don't worry, though: I'm all right, nothing's wrong with my family, The Smart Lady is fine, and all is calm at the Mediocre Ranch. Programming note: The Uncle Millie/Aunt Beatrice column which was scheduled to appear yesterday will instead Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083719892646769072004-05-04T21:18:00.000-04:002004-05-04T21:21:24.216-04:00I'M SORRY, SO SORRY
Nothing today, again. I know, I know, I suck. It happens. I promise to be back on my horse tomorrow. See you then!Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083605297654388252004-05-03T13:28:00.000-04:002004-05-03T13:31:15.746-04:00SORRY, FOLKS
Going to have to bail on posting today. Personal circumstances have left me unable to write anything much today. I wish I could elaborate, but I really shouldn't. See you tomorrow, hopefully.Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083342521809740722004-04-30T12:28:00.000-04:002004-04-30T14:17:46.076-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "String of Pearls" by Glenn Miller
LET'S SEE HOW MUCH RANDOM NONSENSE WE CAN STRING TOGETHER AND CALL IT A COLUMN
Hi, everybody. As you might have gathered from the headline, I have nothing particularly intelligent to say today (when do I ever?), so I'll just be throwing whatever I've got out there. My apologies.
Let's start with Rene Gonzalez, that kid from UMass Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083260178883116842004-04-29T13:36:00.000-04:002004-04-29T14:32:42.403-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Celebrate" by Three Dog Night
FISCAL RATIONALITY SWEEPS VIRGINIA... FILM AT 11!
Hello, everyone! As I mentioned briefly yesterday, Virginia's General Assembly approved a $1.36 billion tax hike, paving the way for an end to the budget impasse. Everything broke just right, for once. The breakway Republican delegates held firm. The Northern Virginia Democrats backed Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083174946789900892004-04-28T13:55:00.000-04:002004-04-28T15:50:21.606-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Freedom 90" by George Michael
RULE OF THREE?
Hello, everybody! I want to revisit the subject of Iraq today, via Timothy Noah's article in Slate yesterday. Noah explores the possibility that Iraq be divided into three sovereign states, either entirely independent of one another or in a loose federation. He quotes a couple of serious thinkers on the subject. I found Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083086911370689272004-04-27T13:28:00.000-04:002004-04-27T16:27:38.110-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Ordinary Average Guy" by Joe Walsh
WHAT'S PERSONALITY GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Greetings, everyone. I haven't written much on John Kerry since he wrapped up the nomination, largely because there hasn't been much to say. There have been mini-flaps here and there, charges and countercharges, but nothing of real substance. This morning, though, I read Howie Kurtz's column, Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1083022398868657962004-04-26T19:33:00.000-04:002004-04-26T21:06:38.390-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Please Come to Boston" by Willie Nelson
RANDOM MONDAY THOUGHTS
Good day, all. It's a drippy Monday here in the Fedroplex, but even a sodden start to the workweek can't diminish the fine weekend I had. I enjoyed The Smart Lady's company, and I got to have a fine Sunday in Baltimore, helping the Orioles with their Little League parade.
Twice a year, the O's invite Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1082739395671433942004-04-23T12:56:00.000-04:002004-04-23T12:59:35.296-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Taps"
R.I.P. PAT TILLMAN
Hello there, everyone. I usually don't start my posts with a moment of silence, but I think it's called for this time around. I just learned that Pat Tillman was killed in action in Afghanistan. In case you're not familiar, Tillman was a safety for the Arizona Cardinals who chose to enlist in the Army after September 11. He was only 27.
Now,Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1082655079874321802004-04-22T13:31:00.000-04:002004-04-22T14:09:11.793-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Billy, Don't Be A Hero" by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
ARE WE FEELING A DRAFT?
Hello, everybody. As the above headline suggests, we're talking draft today. And no, this column isn't going to have anything to do with Maurice Clarett, Eli Manning, the San Diego Chargers or Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We're not talking about that draft. (Although some quick hits for the Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1082574291130597992004-04-21T15:04:00.000-04:002004-04-21T17:01:11.483-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Lulu's Back in Town" by Fats Waller
ANOTHER COMMENT TOUR
Hey there, everybody! Not feeling inspired to write about much of anything at the moment, so I thought I'd do what I usually do at times like this, and post up some comments for public inspection and discussion. Fortunately, I've received a few witty and perceptive comments, making this task all the easier. So Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1082481471811492842004-04-20T13:17:00.000-04:002004-04-20T14:57:00.200-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Dance to the Music" by Sly and the Family Stone
SGT. MILLIE'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
Hello, everybody! Uncle Millie and Aunt Beatrice are back to share their outlook on life and romance with the rest of us suffering souls. Today's column was filed from San Diego, where our favorite couple has gone to check out the Padres' new Petco Park. I couldn't help thinking Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1082395662636414982004-04-19T13:27:00.000-04:002004-04-19T13:30:38.670-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Get It While You Can" by Janis Joplin
ON LOVE AND OPENNESS
Good day, all. Today I'm wrapped up in a rather bizarre story that broke over the weekend, the Mike Danton case. For those who haven't heard, Danton is a defenseman for the St. Louis Blues. He was arrested for attempting to hire a hitman to kill someone with whom he was having a rocky relationship. It's a Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1082136205639940692004-04-16T13:23:00.000-04:002004-04-16T13:26:18.780-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf
IT'S FRIDAY, AND I'M TRIPP-IN'
Good day, all! Today I want to spotlight a theory of politics and parenting, offered up by loyal reader Tripp. Tripp's always good at adding to a discussion, and his theory is a useful supplement to my discussion on Iraq from Tuesday. In that piece, I made the following comment about Bush's Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1082049401847054782004-04-15T13:16:00.000-04:002004-04-15T14:19:47.763-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
IS MLB READY TO BREAK OUT A NEW JERSEY?
Hey there, everyone. Today we have a little baseball news. Specifically, the state of New Jersey is looking to attract a major-league club to the Meadowlands area. Reportedly, Jersey is in serious talk with the Commissioner's Office to bring a team (not the Expos) to town. No word yet on who'd Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1081964417819157012004-04-14T13:40:00.000-04:002004-04-14T15:19:35.373-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Here's Johnny" by Weird Al Yankovic
LOOKING OUT FOR NUMBER TWO
Hello again, all. Last night I stumbled upon the Washington Post Veep-O-Matic, a fairly silly name for a tool which allows you to compare John Kerry's potential running mates. This was sort of interesting in and of itself, but more interesting was the list of candidates they chose. It's a rather extensiveColinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1081881429968050112004-04-13T14:37:00.000-04:002004-04-13T14:40:00.013-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Bend Me, Shape Me" by American Breed
PONDERING AN EXIT STRATEGY
Hello there, all. I'm feeling marginally better today, better enough to tackle a subject with some heft. So today I'm going to take a look at Iraq. This line of thinking was based on a conversation I had with Papa Shaft and the Mad Prophet over dinner last weekend. My memory is a little hazy as to who Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1081792494317306352004-04-12T13:54:00.000-04:002004-04-12T13:57:44.436-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Living With a Hernia" by "Weird Al" Yankovic
NO, I'M NOT HOWLING AT THE MOON, MY BACK'S JUST ACTING UP AGAIN
Hello there, all. I was all set to write a nice lengthy political piece today, subject to be determined. And I may do that tomorrow. Today, though, I can't. I hurt. And I'm not talking about some spiritual or emotional hurt. I am in a not insignificant amount Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1081532272937309012004-04-09T13:37:00.000-04:002004-04-09T13:40:38.796-04:00Today's Musical Selection: Reader's choice. I'm too relaxed to think about it.
THANK GOD IT'S (GOOD) FRIDAY!
Hello, everyone! It is indeed Good Friday, so a blessed day to all who observe it. When I was a little fellow, I asked my mother what Good Friday was all about, and she explained that it was the day Jesus was crucified. So I said, "Well, what's so good about that? Sounds like a pretty Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5624618.post-1081445954421897442004-04-08T13:39:00.000-04:002004-04-08T15:44:10.263-04:00Today's Musical Selection: "Secondhand News" by Fleetwood Mac
STILL TALKIN' BASEBALL
Hello there, everybody. Today we continuue the series on minor-league team names. In this installment of the series, we focus on names that are... well, embarrassing. These names hail from the so-called "good ol' days," back when people felt free to say what they wanted, call a spade a spade, and generally Colinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263383886385812324noreply@blogger.com