Spring Has Sprung! (Weeknotes
The Week
⏰ While I was away last month, the terrible reign of darkness—i.e. standard time—came to an end. Personally, I’d love to have Daylight Saving Time year-round, but some say that’s a bad idea. In any case, I have noticed a marked improvement in my mood since I’ve been home. Maybe the time change has nothing to do with it, but in any case I’m glad warmer and longer days are ahead.
🌻 Spring also means the grass has started growing like crazy. (And so have the dandelions.) There were a couple of warm days this week when my neighbors all mowed their lawns. I haven’t had time to do mine yet, so I’m that guy. Hopefully I can get to it in the next couple of days.
🥓 I came across a trick for making bacon for a cheeseburger or other sandwich so I tried it and it worked beautifully.
🍨 I picked up a copy of Perfectly Creamy Frozen Yogurt and made my first batch of chocolate fro-yo. It was not an unqualified success. The recipe was easy to follow, but the flavor was off. Maybe my yogurt was past it, or maybe it’s to do with the brand. In any case, I’ll continue experimenting and keep you posted.
🥏 My daughter made her professional ultimate debut, playing for Indy Red in the Premier Ultimate League. They beat Nashville 15–13. Very proud of my kiddo! Plug: If you’re interested in watching ultimate on TV, all PUL games are carried live on YouTube.
🍷 If you’re a regular reader you know I’ve been working my way through The Drops of God by Tadashi Agi. The 44-volume manga series is chock full of wine information and it’s made me want to know more. I bought a used copy of The New France by Andrew Jefford with the hope of learning more about the fascinating and complicated world of French wine.
🎟️ I ordered my ticket to Hamvention, the largest amateur radio gathering in the world. I’m planning to take Friday, May 17th, off to go down there again this year. The traffic is a little lighter on Friday than on Saturday and one day is plenty for me. See you there?
🍸 A White Negroni seems like something I’d quite like, but I don’t normally keep Suze, Italicus, or Lillet Blanc on hand. I need to make a run to the liquor store.
Watching
🟥 Columbus Crew somehow managed to draw with DC United. What’s going on with the team lately? Are they trying to set a league record for red cards?
🚩 Indy Red vs Nashville Nightshade (Premier Ultimate League)
🌦️ Believe it or not, I’d never seen Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy until this week. I admit that I laughed a few times, and it’s nice to understand where some common jokes come from, but wow that’s a bad movie. (And I really like Adam McKay! Sorry, Adam, only for this dud.
🤑 At the other end of the Adam McKay spectrum, The Big Short is as hilariously disturbing now as it was when it came out.
Reading
Writing for The Atlantic, Gary Shteyngart brought me to tears (laughing) too when I read “Crying Myself to Sleep on the Biggest Cruise Ship Ever”. Warning: If you love cruising, you might be offended.
“Carrie at 50: the bloody history of Stephen King’s audacious debut novel” by Jessie Thompson (The Independent) – I haven’t read Carrie, but I do enjoy a Stephen King yarn now and then. It’s hard to believe he’s been at it for 50 years.
“Ownership is dead. The access economy has arrived.” by Joan Westenberg. Will new, better patterns of consumption follow?
“Harlan Ellison’s Last Words: The Ambitious Plan for Sci-Fi Writer’s Posthumous Comeback” by Steve Appleford (Los Angeles) – The SciFi writer in question is none other than J. Michael Straczynski. Who knew? I wouldn’t mind revisiting some of Mr Ellison’s work. Small doses though.
Chris Quinn, editor of The Plain Dealer reminds us that there aren’t two sides to facts. Finally, a newspaper editor with some balls. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Honorable Mentions
“I No Longer Shoot Like” by Roman Fox
“The Carry-On-Baggage Bubble Is About To Pop” by Ian Bogost (The Atlantic)
“Flying Is Weird Right Now” by Charlie Warzel (The Atlantic)