Will, I think you're looking at pickleball through the wrong end of the binoculars: It's not about giving tennis players a sport where they can move less, it's about giving table tennis players a sport where they can move more. 😂
So I went to Barbarian last night. Took a few weeks to find an evening due to work stuff, but, after this and the podcast, really wanted to see it. Enjoyed it for sure, but weird situation happened: with about ten minutes to go in our theater of about ten (7 vaping teens, a couple, and me) the lights flickered and the screen cut to this ominous shade of red. Theater was dead silent. After a few uncertain minutes, a member of each of the other two parties went to see the manager...while I sat staring at the screen so blown away by the immersive experience! I was actually grinning at what I assumed was yet another twist in the film and...
Yeah, no. There was a power surge that forced everything to reboot. Film restarted ten minutes later. I was just so into it and ready to get tossed around by the movie that I assumed the theatrics were part of the whole Barbarian experience. It wasn’t, but damn if that isn’t an interesting idea to spice up movie-going!
Growing up, I was a kid who would fight at the drop of a hat - an insult, a challenge - often I would go looking for it. I wasn't big, I was average, but I was scrappy as hell. I hated bullies. I challenged enough of them - won a few, lost a few - but, I never stopped hating them. When I was 18 I joined the Marine Corps. I wanted to be like John Wayne, he was my idol. I saw the world a bit, but by then I was calmed down considerably - I learned that there was always someone bigger, meaner, and better equipped than me, so I learned to be more diplomatic, avoid arguments, back down occasionally, and be 'cool'. Into adulthood, I still had a few scrapes, but nothing serious. Almost always it was to defend someone, or to defend my family - 'honor' took a back seat, because dying for 'honor' was something I had trouble with - even as a Marine. I read enough books to see that the 'English' sense of honor was a trifle bit too stilted, and often senseless - still, it won wars, and continents. Today, I'm not sure dying for one's country would even be considered. I taught my son to always be considerate of others, but never to give up your principles. Sometimes that requires a person to 'fight' - sometimes it is the difference between you and the other guy - and the difference between winning and losing.
I think I've twice had a movie experience like this. Once seeing the Daniels' "The Death of Dick Long" and once seeing "Greener Grass," both movies where I think the experience would've been much MUCH diminished if I'd just watched it by myself on my laptop or whatever. God movies rock.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your newsletters. I've read them since the pandemic, as other newsletters that encourage and entertain. Thoughtful, personal, broadminded. I appreciate your tackling of diverse topics and I always enjoy the levity.
I do think you may have missed something in your article about Abrams and O'Rourke, though. About losers and how often they lose being an indicator of their viability. I hope Stacey and Beto continue to run. If they're able to handle the losses then we can continue to support them. They certainly rise above their opponents, and have the skills for good leadership.
It's not uncommon for candidates to make several runs before they win. I'm going to convey that hope. I've learned in the past few years that remaining positive and continuing to do the hard slogging ultimately pays off. I don't know much about sports but I think the same rules apply.
Thank you! I'm honored you keep reading these silly things. I definitely hope you are right about Beto and Abrams. I just worry you can only lose so many times before people move on to someone newer and younger, who hasn't lost. But hey: They certainly haven't lost yet!
2) Is it still bad karma to even *think* about IF Pujols can make it to 700, much less when?
3) Pose on the mound: Andrew Miller immediately came to mind.
4) I used to always read the Ebert review after seeing a new movie. Then it was YOU. Now I gotta hit the podcast to get your grade!
5) "Highway Patrolman" is still my fave on that album. Haven't listened to NEBRASKA in ages but the entire album still spooks me just thinking about it...
Will, I think you're looking at pickleball through the wrong end of the binoculars: It's not about giving tennis players a sport where they can move less, it's about giving table tennis players a sport where they can move more. 😂
Ha. Now this is my kind of joke.
Thanks for the newsletter. I look forward to them on Saturday.
Thanks! I look forward to writing them.
Those graphs/charts are beautiful!
Incredibly talented guy!
So I went to Barbarian last night. Took a few weeks to find an evening due to work stuff, but, after this and the podcast, really wanted to see it. Enjoyed it for sure, but weird situation happened: with about ten minutes to go in our theater of about ten (7 vaping teens, a couple, and me) the lights flickered and the screen cut to this ominous shade of red. Theater was dead silent. After a few uncertain minutes, a member of each of the other two parties went to see the manager...while I sat staring at the screen so blown away by the immersive experience! I was actually grinning at what I assumed was yet another twist in the film and...
Yeah, no. There was a power surge that forced everything to reboot. Film restarted ten minutes later. I was just so into it and ready to get tossed around by the movie that I assumed the theatrics were part of the whole Barbarian experience. It wasn’t, but damn if that isn’t an interesting idea to spice up movie-going!
Regardless, thanks for endorsing this. Had fun.
Ha! This makes me feel like I hyped it pretty well, if you were so ready for twists that you were willing to stare at a blank screen for 10 minutes!
Growing up, I was a kid who would fight at the drop of a hat - an insult, a challenge - often I would go looking for it. I wasn't big, I was average, but I was scrappy as hell. I hated bullies. I challenged enough of them - won a few, lost a few - but, I never stopped hating them. When I was 18 I joined the Marine Corps. I wanted to be like John Wayne, he was my idol. I saw the world a bit, but by then I was calmed down considerably - I learned that there was always someone bigger, meaner, and better equipped than me, so I learned to be more diplomatic, avoid arguments, back down occasionally, and be 'cool'. Into adulthood, I still had a few scrapes, but nothing serious. Almost always it was to defend someone, or to defend my family - 'honor' took a back seat, because dying for 'honor' was something I had trouble with - even as a Marine. I read enough books to see that the 'English' sense of honor was a trifle bit too stilted, and often senseless - still, it won wars, and continents. Today, I'm not sure dying for one's country would even be considered. I taught my son to always be considerate of others, but never to give up your principles. Sometimes that requires a person to 'fight' - sometimes it is the difference between you and the other guy - and the difference between winning and losing.
This is great. Thank you.
Thanks. I'm 'old school' but, sometimes 'old school' is what people need to consider.
I think I've twice had a movie experience like this. Once seeing the Daniels' "The Death of Dick Long" and once seeing "Greener Grass," both movies where I think the experience would've been much MUCH diminished if I'd just watched it by myself on my laptop or whatever. God movies rock.
Yeah, I think this is true with most movies, honestly ... but with some movies, the difference is VERY dramatic.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your newsletters. I've read them since the pandemic, as other newsletters that encourage and entertain. Thoughtful, personal, broadminded. I appreciate your tackling of diverse topics and I always enjoy the levity.
I do think you may have missed something in your article about Abrams and O'Rourke, though. About losers and how often they lose being an indicator of their viability. I hope Stacey and Beto continue to run. If they're able to handle the losses then we can continue to support them. They certainly rise above their opponents, and have the skills for good leadership.
It's not uncommon for candidates to make several runs before they win. I'm going to convey that hope. I've learned in the past few years that remaining positive and continuing to do the hard slogging ultimately pays off. I don't know much about sports but I think the same rules apply.
Thank you! I'm honored you keep reading these silly things. I definitely hope you are right about Beto and Abrams. I just worry you can only lose so many times before people move on to someone newer and younger, who hasn't lost. But hey: They certainly haven't lost yet!
1) You can vape in a movie theater in Georgia?
2) Is it still bad karma to even *think* about IF Pujols can make it to 700, much less when?
3) Pose on the mound: Andrew Miller immediately came to mind.
4) I used to always read the Ebert review after seeing a new movie. Then it was YOU. Now I gotta hit the podcast to get your grade!
5) "Highway Patrolman" is still my fave on that album. Haven't listened to NEBRASKA in ages but the entire album still spooks me just thinking about it...
I can answer these!
1. No. But somehow this nevertheless did not deter them!
2. I think a lot of people thought he was gonna get there in the doubleheader yesterday!
3. I like it! He likes Kershaw too.
4. This is still a downgrade.
5. Yeah, it's my mood piece Springsteen album. I think I prefer those.