Quote of the day: Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).—Mark Twain I consider myself pretty far left politically. In fact I sometimes jokingly tell folks that I’m somewhat to the left of Noam Chomsky. And yet when I take one of those … Continue reading Moderation Is No Virtue
Podcasts
The Lees of Old Virginia
Quote of the day: I learned ... that one can never go back, that one should not ever try to go back—that the essence of life is going forward. Life is really a one way street, isn't it?—Agatha Christie I’ve been saving this one up, but the forthcoming documentary by Ken Burns on The American … Continue reading The Lees of Old Virginia
People Don’t Click on Links
Quote of the day: There's an old saying, “Life begins at forty.” That's silly. Life begins every morning you wake up.—George Burns I learned a long time ago that people generally don’t click on links. Years ago I was trying to promote one of my videos, so I asked someone who had tens of thousands … Continue reading People Don’t Click on Links
Dr. Kenneth Miller
Quote of the day: It's astonishing in this world how things don't turn out at all the way you expect them to.—Agatha Christie Dr. Kenneth Miller is that rarity, a scientist who is also a devout Catholic. I actually started to write “practicing Catholic” but I think he’s past the practice stage. Anyway, I … Continue reading Dr. Kenneth Miller
The Birth of the Blue
Quote of the day: I will unite with anyone to do good, but with no one to do harm.—Frederick Douglass In some ways it feels like I’ve always known George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, but as best as I can recall, I first heard it when I got the Leonard Bernstein recording with the New … Continue reading The Birth of the Blue
April Ajoy
Quote of the day: Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. —Groucho Marx April Ajoy is a woman who gives Christians a good name. Seriously. I mean, if all Christians were like April Ajoy, I wouldn’t be railing against the Christian religion … Continue reading April Ajoy
The Live Call-In Show
Quote of the day: Drama is life with the dull bits left out.—Alfred Hitchcock Scriptnotes had a live call-in show for their 700th episode and made a video, so you can watch it on YouTube. Craig shaved off his beard and his hair, apparently trying to pass for John. Can you tell them apart? Meanwhile, … Continue reading The Live Call-In Show
Strawberries, Lightning, and Zenger
Quote of the day: Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel peace prize.—Tom Lehrer A useful little gadget that I got a little while ago is this strawberry huller. It removes just the stem from the strawberry, no muss, no fuss. Much easier than messing with a paring knife. Ever wonder … Continue reading Strawberries, Lightning, and Zenger
Piano and Movies and the Bible
I guessed the composer on this week’s Piano Puzzler after the first few measures, and if you want to know how I did it, just listen to Bruce Adophe’s explanation when the answer is reveled. That’s how. But I’m embarrassed to admit I couldn’t get the hidden tune. Normally when I have difficulty with the … Continue reading Piano and Movies and the Bible
Don’t Drink the Coffee!!!!!
It’s been many years since the last time I took a flight in a commercial airline, but if I ever do again (very unlikely but you never know), I’ll be sure not to drink the coffee. Or the tea. Or even wash my hands in the water in the rest room tap. Just listen to … Continue reading Don’t Drink the Coffee!!!!!