brainsplotch

(I posted this on Facebook, and think it would be appropriate to post it in this blog--sorry for the screwy font that doesn't match the rest of the blog): I thought I'd do another "Favorites of 2019" list, this one about podcasts. I listen to many podcasts (maybe TOO MANY) while working, running, walking, washing dishes, etc. So here are my top 20 of 2019 (listed in the order they appear in my Stitcher favorites): WTF WITH MARC MARON: The granddaddy of podcasts and still one of the best. No matter the guest, the conversations are almost always engaging. SLATE CULTURE GABFEST: Dana Stevens, Stephen Metcalf, and Julia Turner discuss the current week's notable films, music, books, etc. Sometimes veers into precious East Coast elitism (perhaps unintentionally) but is always an enjoyable listen and about the smartest podcast out there. BEST PICK: This is a British podcast that each week randomly selects an Academy Award year and discusses in great detail t...

I actually have some time to write a blog post. I am at work, where ordinarily I'd go out to lunch at this time or go for a walk. However, at this moment it's pouring outside and I don't want to go anywhere. I'm having lunch (animal crackers--yeah, I know--not exactly a nutritious meal) at my desk and writing because, hey, I have time. The summer ended about two weeks ago, and it was quite an eventful summer. We traveled to New York City in late July and spent a solid week being uber-tourists (and, had I been given more of an opportunity, I'd have explored NYC even more than I did). We spent a day at the Bronx Zoo and I was impressed by how green, leafy, and beautiful it is. In fact, The Bronx was one of the most eye-opening experiences of the trip. Do you know how you will have an image of a place in your head and how actually being IN that place either confirms your image or--more often than not--completely destroys and reconfigures the image in your head? That ...

(The following is a little "staff recommendation" I wrote for the Queen DVD Live at the Rainbow '74. Thought I'd share it here, too).     If you've seen the bio-pic Bohemian Rhapsody and want to dive deeper into the world of Queen, then this concert video is for you. It captures Queen a year away from their blockbuster album A Night at the Opera, the smash hit single "Bohemian Rhapsody" and international superstardom.   This is a young and hungry band that delivers an absolutely ferocious live show in front of an enthusiastic audience at London's Rainbow Theatre. It's a stage in their career when the band was as close as they ever came to hard rock or heavy metal (but there are some gentler moments in their live show).  It is also obvious from this concert that Freddie Mercury was destined to become one of the greatest performers in music history. He struts and postures across the stage in his flamboyant flowing costumes...

Another Christmas has (mercifully) ended. Another year is about to end. Another year in which I pretty much blow off this blog is about to end. Since my last blog post, I went on another Caribbean cruise with my family in July. Otherwise, it's been mainly business as usual. I'm volunteering for Preservation Lansing, going to my normal 7-3:30 job, attending concerts and sporting events occasionally, and that's about it. One big development in December: it looks like there will be a sequel to my Portland, Michigan book--and by making this public, it means I HAVE to get this done. Early January will be all about getting the proposal sent to Arcadia Publishing. Then, it looks like the early part of 2019 will be fairly busy. I'll be writing a book and my older son will be finishing his senior in high school. January to June could be a bit nutty.

It appears that Brainsplotch is back again. I don't know what the heck was going on with the computer I was trying to use, but Blogger was haywire and wouldn't display Brainsplotch or let me do anything. I apologize for being away from this blog for so long. I think this post will just be some random observations. I can't even think about Donald Trump without my blood pressure rising. I am disgusted with how he has no problem cozying up to the world's worst dictator (Kim Jong-Un) while alienating Canada's democratic leader. Just think about that for a moment...the President of the United States pissed off CANADA!! Freakin' CANADA!! Trump is not normal. This presidency is not normal. I pray that we survive this dunderhead's bloated narcissistic, childish reign. I pray that the Dems take over Congress in the midterm elections and we can get impeachment rolling. If any Trump apologist happens to stumble upon this blog post, don't even comment. I don...

Test post to see if Brainsplotch still works.

I finally saw the movie Lady Bird tonight, after wanting to see it since it was originally released. Now that it has Academy Awards nominations, it's back in theaters. (I don't think it's first run in Lansing lasted more than a few weeks).   We don't get a chance to see many coming-of-age movies with female protagonists, and that is what Lady Bird primarily is. Saoirse Ronan (first name ronounced "SIR-shuh," by the way) delivers a nuanced performance as the titular Christin "Lady Bird" McPherson, a senior at an all-girls Catholic high school in Sacramento, California. In an attempt to forge a new identity, Christina insists that everyone refer to her as Lady Bird. (We are not given a reason as to why she chose "Lady Bird" as her new name).   Lady Bird is a girl who, despite not being a particularly great student (good, but not great), is not lacking in self-confidence. In this, she is similar to Max Fischer from Wes Anderson...