Starting this week, the Detroit News & Free Press are ceasing daily delivery, shifting to a model of online/limited delivery/slimmed down newsstand editions. As a newspaper junkie, even though I admittedly don't read even the Post every day, I am really sad about this. I remember coming home from school and searching for the afternoon edition of the News. I remember dad reading the paper nearly cover to cover every night after work. I remember getting up on Saturdays to sift through all of the ads, magazines, etc. for a good half-hour plus. Getting the paper is still the first thing I do in the morning after getting ready for work.
It's traditions like these that kids today won't know anything about. I guess even I rely on the internet for most of my news. The nightly news is passe, old news, etc. Though it is reliably still there on days when something that needs visuals and voices is newsworthy.
The papers' deaths are another sign that things in that things in Michigan just aren't good. Yes, the Michigan State Spartans are in the Final Four, being played at Ford Field, and downtown will come alive for that. But who can afford the tickets, really? And if the papers don't publish to homes next Tuesday, then you'll miss coverage of the potential NCAA victors, regardless of who wins.
Heck, how will you make scrapbooks like I did for the Tigers, tracking their great victories in 1987? I guess you can print things off the internet. You didn't have that record then. But who cares if anyone can access a piece at any time? Scrapbooks are nostalgic memories of the moment. Another thing that kids today won't ever experience.
Boo to the Detroit papers, though at least they are still alive for now.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
George Kell
George Kell died yesterday, in his sleep, at the age of 86.
I don't watch or listen to baseball much anymore, but I remember growing up as a kid in Detroit and watching him and Al Kaline broadcast Tigers games, back when the team was winning in the mid-80s. They, along with Ernie Harwell (who is 91!!) and Paul Carey were the voices of the team, and they were all that was good and great with the baseball tradition. It is a part of your childhood, to listen to the games with Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Lance Parrish, Kirk Gibson, Lou Whitaker, Tom Brookens, Chet Lemon, Darrell Evans, Willie Hernandez, et. al. I still remember those names twenty-five years later, this year. I think the first sports team you ever followed and cared about, you don't forget. Baseball or football or hockey or basketball teams that win and unite the community, make you share that pride of ownership, and offer loyalty, those are so crucial. It would be awesome if the Tigers could compete again after the last couple of off years.
R.I.P. to the voice of summer.
I don't watch or listen to baseball much anymore, but I remember growing up as a kid in Detroit and watching him and Al Kaline broadcast Tigers games, back when the team was winning in the mid-80s. They, along with Ernie Harwell (who is 91!!) and Paul Carey were the voices of the team, and they were all that was good and great with the baseball tradition. It is a part of your childhood, to listen to the games with Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Lance Parrish, Kirk Gibson, Lou Whitaker, Tom Brookens, Chet Lemon, Darrell Evans, Willie Hernandez, et. al. I still remember those names twenty-five years later, this year. I think the first sports team you ever followed and cared about, you don't forget. Baseball or football or hockey or basketball teams that win and unite the community, make you share that pride of ownership, and offer loyalty, those are so crucial. It would be awesome if the Tigers could compete again after the last couple of off years.
R.I.P. to the voice of summer.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Movies
I saw FOUR movies this weekend, making up for some lost time. Yesterday, I saw I Love You, Man with the always very funny Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, and Jason Segel. I thought about seeing something heavier, but something light and funny struck my mood. These actors are all great, and the movie was solid, fun, and perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday, I saw the Changeling. The story was fascinating, though the film was a bit too long. I thought it was curious that there were conflicting accounts on what really happened to Christine Collins.
Then Friday, I watched both Rachel Getting Married and Reservation Road. Both were good, but not great. Rachel Getting Married was all about Anne Hathaway, and the rest of the film annoyed me in its pretentiousness, its PC'ness, its love of all things diversity and Connecticut. Reservation Road was a little too small town whimiscal for me, though the acting was stellar. A sad film, though, and Jennifer Connelly just rocked in her grief.
Eventually I'll see the Oscar flicks, but when given the opportunity, after three very somber movies (killing a brother, a son killed, a son kidnapped), I definitely am glad I went for funny yesterday. I needed it, though it seems so long gone already.
On Saturday, I saw the Changeling. The story was fascinating, though the film was a bit too long. I thought it was curious that there were conflicting accounts on what really happened to Christine Collins.
Then Friday, I watched both Rachel Getting Married and Reservation Road. Both were good, but not great. Rachel Getting Married was all about Anne Hathaway, and the rest of the film annoyed me in its pretentiousness, its PC'ness, its love of all things diversity and Connecticut. Reservation Road was a little too small town whimiscal for me, though the acting was stellar. A sad film, though, and Jennifer Connelly just rocked in her grief.
Eventually I'll see the Oscar flicks, but when given the opportunity, after three very somber movies (killing a brother, a son killed, a son kidnapped), I definitely am glad I went for funny yesterday. I needed it, though it seems so long gone already.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sad
I've been looking for news all day about Natasha Richardson's condition. How horrible, skiing one day with your son and then suddenly be brain-dead. She and Liam Neeson have always been one of those nice, long-married couples that you don't hear bad things about. And with a couple of teenage/preteen sons, it is so tragic. At any moment, without any notice, horrible things happen. Like those four teenagers killed by the drunk driver near Macomb Mall.
It's hard not to think that something horrible could happen, because horrible things do happen. You can feel lucky and blessed and happy and something terrible could happen. We have to live each day to its fullest and not live in fear. But oh, man, you hear stories like these and your hearts break for strangers who woke up one morning to find their lives changed forever.
It's hard not to think that something horrible could happen, because horrible things do happen. You can feel lucky and blessed and happy and something terrible could happen. We have to live each day to its fullest and not live in fear. But oh, man, you hear stories like these and your hearts break for strangers who woke up one morning to find their lives changed forever.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Last Week
Busy but good week this past week. Interesting too. Yesterday's St. Patrick's 8K went well, 42:53. It was fun to catch up with S twice in a week (after dinner Thursday at Posto). The weather was lousy, but not bad for running. I felt pretty good, if a bit winded, til the last .1 mile, when I felt a little sick. I inhaled a bagel and apple, though, and recovered quickly. Now I need to think about a 10K.
Catching up ANM (well sorta) over facebook was well, quite interesting! Wow, how do things and people change. It is ridiculous to think they would not after twenty years, but that was a pretty drastic change. I am not sure what to think about it. I am definitely thinking about her, who she was then, was there a sign, could I have told. She never did have too many boyfriends, but we were thirteen! It does make me rethink the entire "popular" crowd mentality, how people hide who they are, or avoid who they are, or act differently than who they really were. But does anyone know very much about themself at 12 or 13? I have some of those same insecurities and I don't from twenty years. It is a part of who you are, but it does not define you. I hope to hear back from her, though.
Catching up ANM (well sorta) over facebook was well, quite interesting! Wow, how do things and people change. It is ridiculous to think they would not after twenty years, but that was a pretty drastic change. I am not sure what to think about it. I am definitely thinking about her, who she was then, was there a sign, could I have told. She never did have too many boyfriends, but we were thirteen! It does make me rethink the entire "popular" crowd mentality, how people hide who they are, or avoid who they are, or act differently than who they really were. But does anyone know very much about themself at 12 or 13? I have some of those same insecurities and I don't from twenty years. It is a part of who you are, but it does not define you. I hope to hear back from her, though.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
New Orleans
Was in New Orleans this weekend for yet another leadership meeting. Had two good meals...one at Palace Cafe, and I enjoyed a yummy crabmeat cheesecake and gulf fish pecan, with Pecan-crusted with "Creole meunière sauce, spiced pecans, popcorn rice and vegetable du jour." Oh yeah, and some bites of some obligatory bread pudding. Dinner Saturday was at Calcasieu, with gumbo, braised meat pie, iceberg with bluecheese & buttermilk, slow cooked duck fricasse with dirty rice, and yes, chocoalate bread pudding, which was quite delectable. Yum. The company was good. Had lunch at Crescent City Brewhouse, for some crab stuffed shrimp and weisse beer, though I was still hungry afterwards. I did get a run in, which was good exercise.
Still not a big plan of New Orleans. We had a drink at Pat O'Briens, and walking back, we sort the usual assortment of flashing girls, puking boys, and general debauchery. We saw a group of teenagers dropped off right before we went back to the hotel room. Man, I felt old!!
Still not a big plan of New Orleans. We had a drink at Pat O'Briens, and walking back, we sort the usual assortment of flashing girls, puking boys, and general debauchery. We saw a group of teenagers dropped off right before we went back to the hotel room. Man, I felt old!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Thirty Three
Had a nice day so far, despite the obligatory birthday group lunch. I just went with a Chop't salad, the usual: spinach, apples, grapes, walnuts, white cheddar, and tomatoes.
Not sure what's on the agenda tonight. The husband has a big presentation tomorrow, so perhaps we will do some sushi or crabcakes or something fairly simple. I am not in the mood for anything elaborate.
I always a feel a bit bittersweet on this day. Like I always am expecting something more, more recognition but I don't want to seek that so much. Oh it is silly.
Anyway, happy birthday to me!! Thirty three...
Not sure what's on the agenda tonight. The husband has a big presentation tomorrow, so perhaps we will do some sushi or crabcakes or something fairly simple. I am not in the mood for anything elaborate.
I always a feel a bit bittersweet on this day. Like I always am expecting something more, more recognition but I don't want to seek that so much. Oh it is silly.
Anyway, happy birthday to me!! Thirty three...
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Square Root Day
Today is square root day, 3/3/9. I guess it only happens like 9 times, is that right, this century? Okay, so it is really math nerd day. It's also the day before my birthday. 33 on 3/4/9. So not perfect symmetry, I suppose.
So it's been twenty years since I became a teenager, back in 1989. Wow, twenty years. 13 was such an anticipated age, and it's scary to think that someone born in 1996 becomes a teenager this year. 13 was such a tough age, feeling and looking so awkward, not many friends, developing body, unsure of everything. Ugh. I would not want to be 13 for anything in the world.
I got a nice new pricey dress at Ann Taylor's last night, followed by steak and crabcakes at Hops. My steak on Sunday night was much better, yum! Quiet celebrations (in the snow, ugh!) are what is being called for this year. No need for splashiness; let's save that for New Orleans, right?!?!
So this has been a remarkable year full of weddings, homes, a new nephew. Not sure what the year ahead will bring but I hope it will be another happy one. One last toast to thirty two.
So it's been twenty years since I became a teenager, back in 1989. Wow, twenty years. 13 was such an anticipated age, and it's scary to think that someone born in 1996 becomes a teenager this year. 13 was such a tough age, feeling and looking so awkward, not many friends, developing body, unsure of everything. Ugh. I would not want to be 13 for anything in the world.
I got a nice new pricey dress at Ann Taylor's last night, followed by steak and crabcakes at Hops. My steak on Sunday night was much better, yum! Quiet celebrations (in the snow, ugh!) are what is being called for this year. No need for splashiness; let's save that for New Orleans, right?!?!
So this has been a remarkable year full of weddings, homes, a new nephew. Not sure what the year ahead will bring but I hope it will be another happy one. One last toast to thirty two.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)