Chris Rodell's Blog, page 28
February 7, 2019
Black face & "The Legend of Tyrone Stone"
(852 words)
I didn’t start paying attention to the Virginia blackface scandal until I read that one of the minstrels admitted to donning shoe polish to impersonate Michael Jackson, an African-American who at the time was contemplating skin lightening measures that would make him appear more white faced.
So I’d say we’re again nearing peak absurdity on race issues, but every time I say
I didn’t start paying attention to the Virginia blackface scandal until I read that one of the minstrels admitted to donning shoe polish to impersonate Michael Jackson, an African-American who at the time was contemplating skin lightening measures that would make him appear more white faced.
So I’d say we’re again nearing peak absurdity on race issues, but every time I say
February 5, 2019
A hometown funeral & "The Art of Living Suddenly"
(667 words)
I’ve been at this fatherhood thing long enough I figure I can BS my way clear across any vast canyon of factual oblivion.
Merely appearing wise conceals authentic foolishness — and that utterly pointless 6-word statement practically proves the point of the whole daddy baffle.
But my high school senior stumped me the other day when she asked me to help her with something
I’ve been at this fatherhood thing long enough I figure I can BS my way clear across any vast canyon of factual oblivion.
Merely appearing wise conceals authentic foolishness — and that utterly pointless 6-word statement practically proves the point of the whole daddy baffle.
But my high school senior stumped me the other day when she asked me to help her with something
January 31, 2019
Was Jan. 2 tweet already year's best?
I won’t be surprised if the tweet of the year was composed at 6:57 a.m. on January 2. It’s the one right up top about tangents with tan gents. I just love that one. But who knows? I could be within mere moments of composing a tweet so profound, so monumental that the whole rest of twitter just gives up. Yeah, even Trump.
I wonder if there’ be some sort of prize for that. You’d think,
I wonder if there’ be some sort of prize for that. You’d think,
January 29, 2019
How TV disappoints in ways books never do
(696 words)
You know we’ve crossed another unwelcome technological threshold when turning on your typical television is more complicated than turning on your typical man.
Both are simple devices.You should be able to turn one on by pushing a single button, the other with a flirtatious wink, a playful touch or by maybe offering it a warm donut.
The only time a TV should be difficult
You know we’ve crossed another unwelcome technological threshold when turning on your typical television is more complicated than turning on your typical man.
Both are simple devices.You should be able to turn one on by pushing a single button, the other with a flirtatious wink, a playful touch or by maybe offering it a warm donut.
The only time a TV should be difficult
January 23, 2019
Frustrated recycler seeking trashy solutions
(691 words)
I’m convinced the only way we’re going to solve our confounding plastic waste crisis is to make all the containers we use to transport some kind of food out of some other kind of food.
It’s why I always order soup in a bread bowl. You slurp the soup then you consume the bowl. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is thrown away. The only thing that could be better is if the server
I’m convinced the only way we’re going to solve our confounding plastic waste crisis is to make all the containers we use to transport some kind of food out of some other kind of food.
It’s why I always order soup in a bread bowl. You slurp the soup then you consume the bowl. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is thrown away. The only thing that could be better is if the server
January 15, 2019
Barnstorming strippers seeking Tin Lizzy gig
(827 words)
My brain was clouded with morning fog Monday at 6:30 a.m. when I unlocked the front door of the Tin Lizzy and gave it a little push. Only half awake, I barely noticed the business card flutter to the floor.
I picked it up and held it under the light.
It read, “Bodies in Motion: PA’s only female traveling exotic dance company!” Beside it was a picture of a smiling young
My brain was clouded with morning fog Monday at 6:30 a.m. when I unlocked the front door of the Tin Lizzy and gave it a little push. Only half awake, I barely noticed the business card flutter to the floor.
I picked it up and held it under the light.
It read, “Bodies in Motion: PA’s only female traveling exotic dance company!” Beside it was a picture of a smiling young
January 7, 2019
The day the Muzak died
(851 words)
Shared musical interests were one of the things that first drew me to the woman I was to marry.
Joe Ely, Todd Snider, Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton — we both reveled in the alt-country music that originated in mostly Texas and Nashville.
She eventually became the paper’s country music writer providing lively interviews with luminaries like Alan Jackson and George Strait
Shared musical interests were one of the things that first drew me to the woman I was to marry.
Joe Ely, Todd Snider, Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton — we both reveled in the alt-country music that originated in mostly Texas and Nashville.
She eventually became the paper’s country music writer providing lively interviews with luminaries like Alan Jackson and George Strait
January 2, 2019
Escaping "Escape from Dannemora" & the joys of bustin' out
(729 words)
I’d never harbored any political aspirations until one day back, oh, in the mid- ‘90s when I heard one friend put down another more pathetic friend for his inability to secure female companionship.
“Man, you couldn’t get laid in a women’s prison with a fistful of pardons.”
I remember laughing at the funny line, but then becoming very quiet as I succumbed to a silent
I’d never harbored any political aspirations until one day back, oh, in the mid- ‘90s when I heard one friend put down another more pathetic friend for his inability to secure female companionship.
“Man, you couldn’t get laid in a women’s prison with a fistful of pardons.”
I remember laughing at the funny line, but then becoming very quiet as I succumbed to a silent
December 31, 2018
Happy New Year! Best tweets of '18 ...
No one’s ever said, man, I’ll be devastated if you don’t do the yearly round-up of twitter nonsense. Yet, I feel compelled to uphold the tradition that is now in its 6th year. It’s helpful to me to have them all gathered up in one place.
Thanks for reading my stuff and … Happy New Year!
• You shouldn't be allowed to demand U.S. impose order around the globe until you can prove you
Thanks for reading my stuff and … Happy New Year!
• You shouldn't be allowed to demand U.S. impose order around the globe until you can prove you
December 30, 2018
December tweets of the month
No time for ramblin' holiday preamble. Just my best tweets from the last month. Follow me @8days2amish. Or not. I always ensure my blog readers get first dibs on the good stuff. Tomorrow's post: 6th Annual Tweets of the Year!
• In striving to be all inclusive and non-confrontational during the War on Christmas I will henceforth wish people a Happy ALLidays. I want people of ALL beliefs
• In striving to be all inclusive and non-confrontational during the War on Christmas I will henceforth wish people a Happy ALLidays. I want people of ALL beliefs
