Chris Rodell's Blog, page 16
September 24, 2020
My new book, Tin Lizzy signing & a euphoric fan
The sentimentalist and the crass self-promoter within me were at war as we drove to meet the 80-year-old widow who’d written me a gushy fan letter.My friend Mark is her financial advisor. He usually buys 30 copies of my latest book and gives them to clients at Christmas.This year he gave Charlotte a signed copy of my Fred Rogers book. Well, she just loved it and in her thank you note — how
September 21, 2020
I'm told I exude calmness; is it Parkinson's?
(767 words)It was a startling sort of compliment about a man who appeared hard to startle.That man was me.We were having basement party cocktails with two other couples when a 40-ish woman I’d just met said I exuded calmness. Her smile made it clear she meant it as a compliment.Of course, she did. We all seek reassuring calmness during these tumultuous times. The Weather Channel forecasts the
September 14, 2020
Where have all the really smart people gone?
(642 words)
To paraphrase an ever-relevant question about dire situations, what does Christopher Langan know and when did he know it?
Well, Langan knows most everything, most of it since age 3 when he began reading at an adult level.
Many scholars list Langan, 68, as the smartest person in the world. How smart?
His IQ is higher than most amateur bowling score. It is estimated to
To paraphrase an ever-relevant question about dire situations, what does Christopher Langan know and when did he know it?
Well, Langan knows most everything, most of it since age 3 when he began reading at an adult level.
Many scholars list Langan, 68, as the smartest person in the world. How smart?
His IQ is higher than most amateur bowling score. It is estimated to
September 3, 2020
Trump in Latrobe! Aunt Milley goes nuts!
(677 words)
This is one of those days I’m regretful I vowed to always let readers know where I stand on the issues. Or in my case where I slouch, lean or nap.
Well, President Trump is coming to Latrobe to speak tonight and I’m wishing I didn’t feel compelled to opine. Nothing good can come from it — and in the case of me opining and Trump speaking that’s a two-fer.
The notion will
This is one of those days I’m regretful I vowed to always let readers know where I stand on the issues. Or in my case where I slouch, lean or nap.
Well, President Trump is coming to Latrobe to speak tonight and I’m wishing I didn’t feel compelled to opine. Nothing good can come from it — and in the case of me opining and Trump speaking that’s a two-fer.
The notion will
August 31, 2020
August Tweets of the Month -- Hooray!
Buy books from me and this is likely to be the return address. I found out many years ago that people treat Rev. Rodell way better than they do plain old Mr. Chris Rodell. Enjoy this month's tweets!
• Bob Dylan is 79. He's been singing "Knocking on Heaven's Door" since 1973. Who else thinks when he passes on & knocks on heaven's door, they’re gonna say, "It's just that Dylan kid again.
• Bob Dylan is 79. He's been singing "Knocking on Heaven's Door" since 1973. Who else thinks when he passes on & knocks on heaven's door, they’re gonna say, "It's just that Dylan kid again.
August 21, 2020
I knew gay-slurring Cinci announcer: What's he like?
(664 words)
I’ve made the decision to use the currently inflammatory word “faggot” without coy deceptions — not because Cincinnati broadcaster Thom Brennamen got into trouble for using it.
Because Winston Churchill did not.
Brennaman is losing lucrative gigs left and right for saying into a hot mic that Kansas City was one of the “fag capitals of the world.”
Silly me. I always
I’ve made the decision to use the currently inflammatory word “faggot” without coy deceptions — not because Cincinnati broadcaster Thom Brennamen got into trouble for using it.
Because Winston Churchill did not.
Brennaman is losing lucrative gigs left and right for saying into a hot mic that Kansas City was one of the “fag capitals of the world.”
Silly me. I always
August 18, 2020
Dismayed over USPS attacks
(757 words)
If I were to write exclusively about all the stuff that dismays me I’d have to write five times a day through at least, well, dis May.
Zoom meetings, mask etiquette, fan-less sports broadcasts, Fauci-bashing, arid forecasts and the fact that any day now we’re bound to hear Paul McCartney sing, “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime!”
But there’s one dismay I simply
If I were to write exclusively about all the stuff that dismays me I’d have to write five times a day through at least, well, dis May.
Zoom meetings, mask etiquette, fan-less sports broadcasts, Fauci-bashing, arid forecasts and the fact that any day now we’re bound to hear Paul McCartney sing, “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime!”
But there’s one dismay I simply
August 6, 2020
Not broken but ... How I wound up in cast
(738 words)
The last time I had my right leg — and that’s the ol’ ass kicker — orthopedically immobilized was 1978.
I was captain and star defenseman for the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils varsity hockey team. I intercepted a neutral zone pass and broke in to score what would be the sudden death game winner.
Intent on stopping me, two Keystone Oaks goons tripped me so viciously they
The last time I had my right leg — and that’s the ol’ ass kicker — orthopedically immobilized was 1978.
I was captain and star defenseman for the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils varsity hockey team. I intercepted a neutral zone pass and broke in to score what would be the sudden death game winner.
Intent on stopping me, two Keystone Oaks goons tripped me so viciously they
August 3, 2020
Kamikaze bug flies into my ear
(628 words)
I wondered what was going on inside the fly’s head as it flew straight inside mine.
Was it a fearless scout? A fugitive? Or maybe a Jedi insect probing Death Star weak spots?
It was an odd sensation because — BUZZZZ!!! — I knew it was going to penetrate my outer ear about two seconds before it did. I’ve heard it’s that way with some combat veterans who say they knew the
I wondered what was going on inside the fly’s head as it flew straight inside mine.
Was it a fearless scout? A fugitive? Or maybe a Jedi insect probing Death Star weak spots?
It was an odd sensation because — BUZZZZ!!! — I knew it was going to penetrate my outer ear about two seconds before it did. I’ve heard it’s that way with some combat veterans who say they knew the
July 31, 2020
Tweets of the (last two) months!
• I’m a law-and-order guy who believes not until all the laws are equitably applied to all the people can true order ever be enforced or expected.
• Any man who says he's his own worst critic is either single or delusional.
• Any man who says he's his own worst critic is either single or delusional.
