Chris Rodell's Blog, page 45
December 10, 2016
A holiday tradition: A heartwarming tale of Christmas woe
I’ve been doing this blog thing long enough that some readers make traditional requests. This one is perennial. It’s about what was one of the worst days of my life. If my telling it again makes people happy and brings them some Christmas cheer, then it was all worth it. I mean that.
I re-tell it now because the instigating event will be enjoyed again tonight and I want to make sure the
I re-tell it now because the instigating event will be enjoyed again tonight and I want to make sure the
December 9, 2016
Book buyer thinks my 12.02 ounce book should gain weight
(744 words)
I sold three books earlier this week without having to rise from my bar stool — and that’s a strong disincentive to ever take such a drastic step again.
It was cool because a friend who’d already read the book had come to the Tin Lizzy to buy a gift copy and was so gushy about the need to do so it inspired nearby others.
It says on the back cover the book is $16.95.
I,
I sold three books earlier this week without having to rise from my bar stool — and that’s a strong disincentive to ever take such a drastic step again.
It was cool because a friend who’d already read the book had come to the Tin Lizzy to buy a gift copy and was so gushy about the need to do so it inspired nearby others.
It says on the back cover the book is $16.95.
I,
December 6, 2016
The divisive Paul McCartney Christmas song
Note: This is from last December, which means the song is about to earn the former Beatle another $400,000.
(561 words)
A 1979 song Paul McCartney wrote in one afternoon will again earn him more than $400,000 this year for a cumulative total of more than $15 million.
Yes, for Sir Paul it’s always a “Wonderful Christmastime.”
By contrast, this will be the 1,542 blog post I’ve written
(561 words)
A 1979 song Paul McCartney wrote in one afternoon will again earn him more than $400,000 this year for a cumulative total of more than $15 million.
Yes, for Sir Paul it’s always a “Wonderful Christmastime.”
By contrast, this will be the 1,542 blog post I’ve written
Alien movies & the new Ray Kroc flick
(755 words)
I look forward to seeing 5-star movies the way kids look forward to Christmas. Seated there in the dark next to my wife — no phones, no Facebook, no Trump tweets — it feels like parental hookie.
So I’m genuinely pissed when a well-reviewed movie wastes my time.
That’s what happened with “Arrival.” It scored 93 out of 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Neither Val nor I
I look forward to seeing 5-star movies the way kids look forward to Christmas. Seated there in the dark next to my wife — no phones, no Facebook, no Trump tweets — it feels like parental hookie.
So I’m genuinely pissed when a well-reviewed movie wastes my time.
That’s what happened with “Arrival.” It scored 93 out of 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Neither Val nor I
December 5, 2016
Friends sayin' I'm lazy. Am I?
(803 words)
We were enjoying a splendid little evening idle of office cigars, beers and the new Stones album when one of my friends dive bombed my buzz.
“You know,” he said, “some of our friends think you’re just lazy.”
Huh?
It was incredibly rude, almost as if I’d blurted out I think some of our friends are just stupid.
They’re not, of course. They’re all super smart. You have
We were enjoying a splendid little evening idle of office cigars, beers and the new Stones album when one of my friends dive bombed my buzz.
“You know,” he said, “some of our friends think you’re just lazy.”
Huh?
It was incredibly rude, almost as if I’d blurted out I think some of our friends are just stupid.
They’re not, of course. They’re all super smart. You have
December 3, 2016
Seeing "Wonderul Life" a national obligation (from '15)
(652 words)
It is my patriotic conviction no one in America should be allowed to see “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” until everyone can prove they’ve seen “It’s A Wonderful Life.
It’s that important to our national well-being.
I’m dumbfounded over how many people haven’t seen our most essential Christmas classic.
It is, I guess, understandable for younger generations. They’re subjected
It is my patriotic conviction no one in America should be allowed to see “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” until everyone can prove they’ve seen “It’s A Wonderful Life.
It’s that important to our national well-being.
I’m dumbfounded over how many people haven’t seen our most essential Christmas classic.
It is, I guess, understandable for younger generations. They’re subjected
December 1, 2016
Book signings: Mine & Springsteen's
(726 words)
The midnight text message was perfectly enigmatic: Could I be in Cincinnati in 12 hours?
It was from my buddy Quinn. He lives in Columbus, owns a bar, knew Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys, has a kick-ass band and remains single (one divorce) at the age of 50.
If there was a Quinn poster it’d be hanging in my office and I’d right now be staring dreamily at it.
Why Cinci?
The midnight text message was perfectly enigmatic: Could I be in Cincinnati in 12 hours?
It was from my buddy Quinn. He lives in Columbus, owns a bar, knew Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys, has a kick-ass band and remains single (one divorce) at the age of 50.
If there was a Quinn poster it’d be hanging in my office and I’d right now be staring dreamily at it.
Why Cinci?
November 30, 2016
November tweets of the month: Do Not Eat!
One of these days I'll get around to blogging about how my tweets are like what you find in fortune cookies. Just not today.
Follow me if you like at 8days2Amish. You’ll be one of 1,301 if you do. Of course, following me on Twitter doesn’t really matter. If I have something I think is funny enough to share, I’ll follow you until you hear what I have to say. That’s a promise.
Have a
Follow me if you like at 8days2Amish. You’ll be one of 1,301 if you do. Of course, following me on Twitter doesn’t really matter. If I have something I think is funny enough to share, I’ll follow you until you hear what I have to say. That’s a promise.
Have a
November 28, 2016
PIttsburgh for the holidays: Why go anywhere else?
(682 words)
The AAA declared Thanksgiving the busiest travel weekend since 2007 with the bulk of tourists heading to Las Vegas.
I heard that and thought, man, the only explanation I can figure is the holiday flights to Pittsburgh were all booked up.
I’m one of those Pittsburghers who can’t understand why anyone anywhere would ever want to go any place else. We’re scattered all over
The AAA declared Thanksgiving the busiest travel weekend since 2007 with the bulk of tourists heading to Las Vegas.
I heard that and thought, man, the only explanation I can figure is the holiday flights to Pittsburgh were all booked up.
I’m one of those Pittsburghers who can’t understand why anyone anywhere would ever want to go any place else. We’re scattered all over
November 25, 2016
Upcoming book signings including Tin Lizzy Friday!
(734 words)
A quiz: Which of the three book signings over the next seven days will most likely result in me needing a designated driver?
a: City Books, tomorrow, 1 to 2 p.m., 908 Galveston Ave., North Side, Pittsburgh, for Small Business Saturday.
b: Barnes & Noble, Altoona, Thursday, December 1, 5 to 8 p.m.
c: Tin Lizzy, Friday, December 2, 5 to ?
Okay, it’s a trick question.
A quiz: Which of the three book signings over the next seven days will most likely result in me needing a designated driver?
a: City Books, tomorrow, 1 to 2 p.m., 908 Galveston Ave., North Side, Pittsburgh, for Small Business Saturday.
b: Barnes & Noble, Altoona, Thursday, December 1, 5 to 8 p.m.
c: Tin Lizzy, Friday, December 2, 5 to ?
Okay, it’s a trick question.
