RIP John Updike

One of my favorite writers, John Updike, passed away on January 27 at the age of 76. I remember being introduced to Updike in a sophomore English class at MSU--one of the assignments was Rabbit, Run. Since then, Updike has ranked among my three of four favorite authors.

A truly unique American voice is now silent.

Quick Bitch Session

It was -19F last night in South Bend...if I wanted to freeze my ass and one remaining testicle off, I would have moved to flippin' Barrow, Alaska. Hell, it was probably warmer in Barrow than it was here. At least I wasn't in Minnesota, where it was much colder--but those crazy Scandinavians Lutherans just say, "What the hell, eh?" and dig into another hot, steaming fish casserole. As Mr. Buffett sings...."I gotta go where it's warm."

End of (this) bitch session.

Another Sign I am Getting (More) Jaded

So I am watching the local Fox affiliate this morning, and they run this story about an Atlanta woman who just celebrated her 107th birthday. And I think to myself...you know, 10 years ago, I would have thought, "How cool!" But today, I didn't...and I got to wondering why.

Then it hit me. She may be 107 years old, but she was born in the same century as I was. Back in the late 20th century, it seemed....fascinating, I guess...to know that someone had lived in the century previous to yours (as my great grandmother, who was born in 1893 and died in 1979, did). But now, for some reason, it doesn't seem all that unique. After all, my late maternal grandparents were born in 1911 and 1917...

She has seen a lot of things in her 107 years, to be sure, bt she didn't see the turn of the prior century; maybe that's why it didn't seem so fascinating to me. Either way, I hope she lives to see the turn of another decade, at least.

An Amazing Story

A truly amazing story.

Peace.

Putting the M back in MTV

If, like me, you came of age (whatever that means--in my case, it means college years and early adulthood) in the early-to-mid '80s, then you remember when the M in MTV stood for "Music." Well, fear not, "me decade" compadres. MTV has recently revamped its website, and now you can view pretty much every video it has ever aired. So check it out....and, as Styx said in its 1979 song "Never Say Never" (Cornerstone): "Don't look now, here come the '80s...."

Top 50 of the '80s--1-5

Here they are--the songs absolutely nobody has been waiting for--my top 5 songs of the 1980s:

1. "St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion)"—John Parr (St. Elmo’s Fire Soundtrack)
2. "Rock and Roll Girls"—John Fogerty (Centerfield)
3. "Let My Love Open the Door"—Pete Townshend (Empty Glass)
4. "Do You Believe in Love"—Huey Lewis & The News (Picture This)
5. "This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide"—The Kings (The Kings Are Here)

Clever Ad Line

Best ad line I have heard in a long time: John Corbett for Applebee's: "It's not Tuesdays or Fridays...it's everyday at Applebee's." Very subtle way to mention without mentioning your competition.