Michael Rickard's Blog, page 17
October 17, 2018
Why Can't Anyone Make a Good Dracula Movie?
Editor's Note: Originally presented at my site Jack Lord's Hair, way back in 2015.After watching Taste the Blood of Dracula (a bizarre but apt title once you watch the movie), I began wondering, why can't anyone make a good Dracula movie anymore? It's been over twenty years since Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film which has its moments but never really clicked for me. I'll be generous to Keanu Reeves (who I think gets a lot of unjust criticism) and ignore his awful English accent and focus instead...
October 15, 2018
Book Review: Death of the Territories
Copyright 2018 by Michael W. Rickard II
Tim Hornbaker’s Death of the Territories proves that wrestling history can be informative and entertaining, while still following traditional methods for documenting the story you’re telling (in layman’s terms, you can write a book backed by facts rather than just talking out of your ass). Hornbaker chronicles the various factors that saw wrestling’s popularity explode while simultaneously altering the status quo forever. It’s a tale of ambition, complac...
Tim Hornbaker’s Death of the Territories proves that wrestling history can be informative and entertaining, while still following traditional methods for documenting the story you’re telling (in layman’s terms, you can write a book backed by facts rather than just talking out of your ass). Hornbaker chronicles the various factors that saw wrestling’s popularity explode while simultaneously altering the status quo forever. It’s a tale of ambition, complac...
October 12, 2018
A Real-Life Highway through Hell: Crafting a Mosaic in "The Devil’s Highway"
Copyright (c) 2018 by Michael Rickard IIEditor's Note: Illegal border crossings are more controversial than ever, something discussed in a class I recently took on borderland literature. This real-life story provides insight into authors' thoughts on living between two worlds. Spoilers abound:Luis Alberto Urrea’s The Devil’s Highway shows the many factors at play in illegal entries across the border (“border crossing”) and the reaction in Mexico and the United States to these entries. Urrea...
October 8, 2018
Madison Square Garden Magic: Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan Part Three of Three.
Copyright 2018 by Michael W. Rickard II
Madison Square Garden had hosted two brutal and bloody encounters between World Wrestling Federation (WWF) champion Hulk Hogan and the number one contender Randy “Macho Man” Savage. The third match would be held under lumberjack rules, proving for a conclusive finale to this trilogy of thrills. Join me as I look back at the second match in one of Madison Square Garden'sgreatest three-match series.Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World
Madison Square Garden had hosted two brutal and bloody encounters between World Wrestling Federation (WWF) champion Hulk Hogan and the number one contender Randy “Macho Man” Savage. The third match would be held under lumberjack rules, proving for a conclusive finale to this trilogy of thrills. Join me as I look back at the second match in one of Madison Square Garden'sgreatest three-match series.Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World
October 4, 2018
Will Dictionaries Survive?
Here's another commentary I wrote for my class "Introduction to Lexicography," this time looking at the dictionary's future.Chapter two’s history of lexicography makes me think society is waiting for the next breakthrough in lexicography. As I have discussed in earlier entries, the power of computers has opened up new opportunities to compile dictionaries, whether they be online dictionaries or print ones (although print dictionaries seem to be secondary to online ones).When I read about Samu...
October 2, 2018
Lost in Lincoln: My 13-Days in England
Copyright (C) 2018 by Michael Rickard II
Sunday was upon me and I was ready for the big presentation. I’d spent several weeks creating a short film to present at the Monster Conference and now it was my day to present. As fate would have it, I wouldn’t have the option of taking a taxi to Bishop Grosseteste University and although the school was in walking distance, my poor sense of direction nearly led to me missing the conference. Fortunately, some foresight and a Good Samaritan helped me ma...
Sunday was upon me and I was ready for the big presentation. I’d spent several weeks creating a short film to present at the Monster Conference and now it was my day to present. As fate would have it, I wouldn’t have the option of taking a taxi to Bishop Grosseteste University and although the school was in walking distance, my poor sense of direction nearly led to me missing the conference. Fortunately, some foresight and a Good Samaritan helped me ma...
October 1, 2018
Madison Square Garden Magic: Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan Part Two of Three.
Copyright 2018 by Michael W. Rickard II
Madison Square Garden was the home of the second encounter between World Wrestling Federation (WWF) champion Hulk Hogan and the number one contender Randy “Macho Man” Savage. The match would prove to be as brutal as their first encounter and set up a third and final encounter for the WWF championship.Join me as I look back at the second match in one of Madison Square Garden'sgreatest three-match series.Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World
Madison Square Garden was the home of the second encounter between World Wrestling Federation (WWF) champion Hulk Hogan and the number one contender Randy “Macho Man” Savage. The match would prove to be as brutal as their first encounter and set up a third and final encounter for the WWF championship.Join me as I look back at the second match in one of Madison Square Garden'sgreatest three-match series.Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World
September 25, 2018
Superman's Golden Age Villains: The Atom Man. Part Two of Two
Copyright 2018 by Michael W. Rickard IIEditor's Note: My apologies for the delay in getting part two here. I know it's been two months since I've written about Superman. Would you believe I was exposed to Kryptonite?Last time around, we began our look at one of Superman’s most formidable Golden Age opponents, the Atom Man. As discussed in our previous segment, people seem to have mixed feelings about Superman’s Golden Age era rogue’s gallery, with the thought being that a good number of chara...
September 24, 2018
Madison Square Garden Magic: "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan Part One of Three.
In June of 1985, Randy “Macho Man” Savage entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) after working in the Memphis territory, a promotion that showcased many wrestlers who eventually made their way to the WWF. A second-generation wrestler (the son of Angelo Poffo), Savage was brought into the WWF at the recommendation of manager Jimmy Hart (another Memphis mainstay who had recently joined the WWF) and ring announcer Howard Finkel. Savage's star would soar in the WWF, leading to a three-match series with WWF Champion Hulk Hogan in Madison Square Garden that heralded many more classic encounters through the years. Join me as I look back at one of the biggest trilogies in Madison Square Garden history.Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World
September 21, 2018
Finally, Fish and Chips! My 13-Days in England
Copyright (C) 2018 by Michael Rickard II I
Fish and chips, an English traditionMy trip to England saw me enjoying some great food, but no trip to the U.K. would be complete without partaking of some fish and chips. For whatever reason, I hadn’t gone to any fish and chips shops while in London, but that changed when I got to Lincoln. As fortune would have it, I stumbled upon one of the best fish and chips shops in England—at least that’s what I was told. What would my experience really be like and what’s the deal with fish and chips anyways? Rare is the time when you go wrong by recommendations from the locals and this was no different. My Air BnB host asked me what type of food I was hungry for and I told her fish and chips. She told me I was in luck as the U.K. had hosted a “Best Fish and Chips” competition with a local restaurant, Burton Road Chippy, winning second place. I decided to check the restaurant out and hobbled my way over. This was one of the only times I was able to navigate Lincoln without getting lost. I walked to the restaurant, entering at a good time. A large party was just leaving so I didn’t have to deal with a scarcity of servers. My server asked me what I wanted and I told him I’d heard they won second place in the national fish and chips contest. I ordered a large order of fish and chips. Unlike fish fries in the States, this didn’t have the usual accompaniment of coleslaw, macaroni salad, and bread.
2nd place but still fantastic!Fish and chips date back to the 19th century in England, but a 2009 BBC article suggests they originated in 17th century Belgium or France (Alexander). According to James Alexander, “Oddly enough, the chip may have been invented as a substitute for fish, rather than an accompaniment. When the rivers froze over and nothing could be caught, resourceful housewives began cutting potatoes into fishy shapes and frying them as an alternative.” An interesting story, but what of fish and chips in England? Fried fish vendors can be found in Charles Dickens’ 1839 novel Oliver Twist and are mentioned in Henry Mayhew’s 1851 collection of his survey of London’s working poor, London Labour and the London Poor. Fish and chips were not served together, but that quickly changed, with the two becoming inseparable.Like most firsts, there are competing claims to the title of where fish and chips originated in England. Northern England’s Lancashire boasts the first fish and chips were sold by one John Lees, sometime around 1863. However, London has laid claim to the original home of fish and chips, pointing to Jewish immigrant Joseph Malin’s fish and chips shop. While we may never know who had the first fish and chips shop, there’s no denying its popularity, becoming an integral part of English fare. Before long, fish and chips shops spread into Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Great Britain went out of its way to ensure fish and chips remained on the home front during both world wars, one of the few traditional meals not affected by rationing—although the supply could still be tight (Castelow).
Burton Road Chippy
So how was the fish at Burton Road Chippy? Did it live up to its 2nd place rank in the 2018 National Fish and Chips Award? I didn’t get a chance to sample the other eateries in the top five (although that would have been fun), but this was one tasty plate of fish. The chips, not so much. The fish was a generous portion of fried haddock that had a tasty batter (but not overpowering). The fish was tender and flaky with nothing to complain about. The fries were good, but I think I was expecting something more than what I got. There was a generous portion of fries but I’ve had so many different types of French fries that perhaps I’m spoiled. Burton Road Chippy was reasonably priced. I paid 9.75 pounds for my large dinner and a pound or two for my soft drink. There were a number of side dishes and fish fry alternatives but I was there for the fish and chips and didn’t care about anything else. The restaurant was clean and the service was excellent.
Excellent fish and chips!If you’re ever in Lincoln, check out Burton Road Chippy. With fish and chips checked off on my UK “to do” list, I had one more remaining—presenting my paper at Bishop Grosseteste’s Monster Conference. While I felt I was ready for the presentation, I’d soon find myself lost in Lincoln.Works CitedAlexander, James. “The unlikely origin of fish and chips.” BBC. BBC News Magazine. 9 Dec. 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8419026.stm. Accessed 18 Sept. 2018.Castelow, Ellen. “The History of Fish and Chips.” Historic UK. Culture UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK.... Accessed 18 Sept.2018.Mayhew, Henry. London Labour and the London Poor. Penguin Classics, Reprint Edition, 1985.
Fish and chips, an English traditionMy trip to England saw me enjoying some great food, but no trip to the U.K. would be complete without partaking of some fish and chips. For whatever reason, I hadn’t gone to any fish and chips shops while in London, but that changed when I got to Lincoln. As fortune would have it, I stumbled upon one of the best fish and chips shops in England—at least that’s what I was told. What would my experience really be like and what’s the deal with fish and chips anyways? Rare is the time when you go wrong by recommendations from the locals and this was no different. My Air BnB host asked me what type of food I was hungry for and I told her fish and chips. She told me I was in luck as the U.K. had hosted a “Best Fish and Chips” competition with a local restaurant, Burton Road Chippy, winning second place. I decided to check the restaurant out and hobbled my way over. This was one of the only times I was able to navigate Lincoln without getting lost. I walked to the restaurant, entering at a good time. A large party was just leaving so I didn’t have to deal with a scarcity of servers. My server asked me what I wanted and I told him I’d heard they won second place in the national fish and chips contest. I ordered a large order of fish and chips. Unlike fish fries in the States, this didn’t have the usual accompaniment of coleslaw, macaroni salad, and bread. 2nd place but still fantastic!Fish and chips date back to the 19th century in England, but a 2009 BBC article suggests they originated in 17th century Belgium or France (Alexander). According to James Alexander, “Oddly enough, the chip may have been invented as a substitute for fish, rather than an accompaniment. When the rivers froze over and nothing could be caught, resourceful housewives began cutting potatoes into fishy shapes and frying them as an alternative.” An interesting story, but what of fish and chips in England? Fried fish vendors can be found in Charles Dickens’ 1839 novel Oliver Twist and are mentioned in Henry Mayhew’s 1851 collection of his survey of London’s working poor, London Labour and the London Poor. Fish and chips were not served together, but that quickly changed, with the two becoming inseparable.Like most firsts, there are competing claims to the title of where fish and chips originated in England. Northern England’s Lancashire boasts the first fish and chips were sold by one John Lees, sometime around 1863. However, London has laid claim to the original home of fish and chips, pointing to Jewish immigrant Joseph Malin’s fish and chips shop. While we may never know who had the first fish and chips shop, there’s no denying its popularity, becoming an integral part of English fare. Before long, fish and chips shops spread into Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Great Britain went out of its way to ensure fish and chips remained on the home front during both world wars, one of the few traditional meals not affected by rationing—although the supply could still be tight (Castelow). Burton Road ChippySo how was the fish at Burton Road Chippy? Did it live up to its 2nd place rank in the 2018 National Fish and Chips Award? I didn’t get a chance to sample the other eateries in the top five (although that would have been fun), but this was one tasty plate of fish. The chips, not so much. The fish was a generous portion of fried haddock that had a tasty batter (but not overpowering). The fish was tender and flaky with nothing to complain about. The fries were good, but I think I was expecting something more than what I got. There was a generous portion of fries but I’ve had so many different types of French fries that perhaps I’m spoiled. Burton Road Chippy was reasonably priced. I paid 9.75 pounds for my large dinner and a pound or two for my soft drink. There were a number of side dishes and fish fry alternatives but I was there for the fish and chips and didn’t care about anything else. The restaurant was clean and the service was excellent. Excellent fish and chips!If you’re ever in Lincoln, check out Burton Road Chippy. With fish and chips checked off on my UK “to do” list, I had one more remaining—presenting my paper at Bishop Grosseteste’s Monster Conference. While I felt I was ready for the presentation, I’d soon find myself lost in Lincoln.Works CitedAlexander, James. “The unlikely origin of fish and chips.” BBC. BBC News Magazine. 9 Dec. 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8419026.stm. Accessed 18 Sept. 2018.Castelow, Ellen. “The History of Fish and Chips.” Historic UK. Culture UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK.... Accessed 18 Sept.2018.Mayhew, Henry. London Labour and the London Poor. Penguin Classics, Reprint Edition, 1985.
