Chris Rodell's Blog, page 61
April 11, 2016
Another reason to read real books: Real bookmarks!
(684 words)
It’s always a lively discussion whenever you’re in a room with a dozen or so readers and the topic of e-books is raised.
E-bookers enjoy the portability and instant access to hundreds of diverse titles.
But there’s just something about a book. Us old-schoolers prefer the heft, the tactility, and communal visibility that comes from everyone seeing just what you’re reading.
It’s always a lively discussion whenever you’re in a room with a dozen or so readers and the topic of e-books is raised.
E-bookers enjoy the portability and instant access to hundreds of diverse titles.
But there’s just something about a book. Us old-schoolers prefer the heft, the tactility, and communal visibility that comes from everyone seeing just what you’re reading.
April 8, 2016
Defending, sheesh, Sarah Palin
(659 words)
The comments an X-rated rapper is making about a prominent mother are so vile and disturbing I wish there were legal solutions that could turn a woman named Azealia Banks into a woman named Azealia Failed Savings & Loan.
They are so disgusting, vulgar and violent they stirred my long-buried chivalrous nature. I reflexively wanted to comfort the victim of her vituperations.
The comments an X-rated rapper is making about a prominent mother are so vile and disturbing I wish there were legal solutions that could turn a woman named Azealia Banks into a woman named Azealia Failed Savings & Loan.
They are so disgusting, vulgar and violent they stirred my long-buried chivalrous nature. I reflexively wanted to comfort the victim of her vituperations.
April 6, 2016
Check out www.ChrisRodell.com!
(885 words)
I remember it was a steamy morning way back in August when I spent an hour or so posing for the literary equivalent of boudoir glamor shots.
I preened, I posed, I pouted.
It was all very appropriate because posing as a true preening author has led to so much pouting at the Rodell household.
But my debut novel would be coming out soon and I needed some classy author
I remember it was a steamy morning way back in August when I spent an hour or so posing for the literary equivalent of boudoir glamor shots.
I preened, I posed, I pouted.
It was all very appropriate because posing as a true preening author has led to so much pouting at the Rodell household.
But my debut novel would be coming out soon and I needed some classy author
April 4, 2016
Someone needs to yank off Trump's rug (and 25 Trumpy tweets)
(659 words)
I’m convinced the only way America will truly unite is when some brave, possibly suicidal soul, gives a mighty two-handed tug on what we euphemistically call Donald Trump’s hair.
I suspect it’s constructed to conceal a pair of Satanic horns.
His hair is to me the great under-reported story of the ’16 campaign.
I think one of the reasons he says so many bizarre things
I’m convinced the only way America will truly unite is when some brave, possibly suicidal soul, gives a mighty two-handed tug on what we euphemistically call Donald Trump’s hair.
I suspect it’s constructed to conceal a pair of Satanic horns.
His hair is to me the great under-reported story of the ’16 campaign.
I think one of the reasons he says so many bizarre things
April 1, 2016
March Tweets of the Month: Guess my favorite!
When I’ve gone a day or two without any tweets at 8days2Amish, I’ll sometimes dip into the archive of nearly 6,000 tweets to bring back a golden oldie. But I’m surprised how fresh the twitter feed remains. Of the following 46, 30 are brand new — and all are all me. I’m proud of that.
See if you can guess my favorite!
• I know I'm the only one who cares, but sometimes I wake up in
See if you can guess my favorite!
• I know I'm the only one who cares, but sometimes I wake up in
March 31, 2016
Was firing Wendy Bell too PC? When canning an anchor over racial writings isn't black and white
(621 words)
Given the hysterical reaction to the firing of a popular Pittsburgh news personality, I’m sensing I can further my career by writing a blog focused solely on the comings and goings of the shiny breed.
Farewell, Eight Days To Amish . . .
Hello, “Anchors Away!”
I’m sure my readership would surge if I devoted weeks to the now infamous saga of Wendy Bell, a WTAE-TV anchor/
Given the hysterical reaction to the firing of a popular Pittsburgh news personality, I’m sensing I can further my career by writing a blog focused solely on the comings and goings of the shiny breed.
Farewell, Eight Days To Amish . . .
Hello, “Anchors Away!”
I’m sure my readership would surge if I devoted weeks to the now infamous saga of Wendy Bell, a WTAE-TV anchor/
March 29, 2016
All dogs go to heaven? Even Snickers?
(576 words)
Regular readers know it is my custom to save all my sneezes up for Sunday worship where I believe the Almighty is more likely to act whenever he hears someone say, “God bless you!”
So I was surprised when I awoke in the middle of the night to hear my wife say, “God bless you!”
It didn’t feel like I’d sneezed.
Then I heard what sounded like a single kernel of corn
Regular readers know it is my custom to save all my sneezes up for Sunday worship where I believe the Almighty is more likely to act whenever he hears someone say, “God bless you!”
So I was surprised when I awoke in the middle of the night to hear my wife say, “God bless you!”
It didn’t feel like I’d sneezed.
Then I heard what sounded like a single kernel of corn
March 28, 2016
The vanity of telling time
(609 words)
The jeweler squinted through his eye piece magnifying glass and made an off-hand pronouncement.
“This,” he said, “is a very expensive watch.”
Or is it?
Two weeks earlier, this same jeweler had appraised my wife’s companion watch and declared hers junk.
I wish she’d never asked.
Because I enjoyed the watch more when I was certain it was expensive. Believing I was
The jeweler squinted through his eye piece magnifying glass and made an off-hand pronouncement.
“This,” he said, “is a very expensive watch.”
Or is it?
Two weeks earlier, this same jeweler had appraised my wife’s companion watch and declared hers junk.
I wish she’d never asked.
Because I enjoyed the watch more when I was certain it was expensive. Believing I was
March 24, 2016
Have you noticed our flags are having erections?
(886 words)
A friend of mine asked if I’d noticed how often our flags have been flying at half staff.
Yes, of course, I have. All I do is notice. While you’re out there earning a living (and goofing off reading this) I’m out in the world noticing everything.
I notice birds, motorists, cloud formations, obscure news stories, parenting techniques, commercial pitches, cooking trends,
A friend of mine asked if I’d noticed how often our flags have been flying at half staff.
Yes, of course, I have. All I do is notice. While you’re out there earning a living (and goofing off reading this) I’m out in the world noticing everything.
I notice birds, motorists, cloud formations, obscure news stories, parenting techniques, commercial pitches, cooking trends,
March 23, 2016
Cuba: Whatever happened to Elian Gonzalez?
(769 words)
Many experts are wondering if US overtures toward Cuba will result in greater trade. I’m wondering if Elian Gonzalez attend the Rolling Stones show in Havana on Friday?
And, oh, yeah, did he ever become the Messiah?
I’m disappointed in how little news there’s been about the now 22-year-old Gonzalez. He was in 1999 the focus of a fierce international custody battle.
Many experts are wondering if US overtures toward Cuba will result in greater trade. I’m wondering if Elian Gonzalez attend the Rolling Stones show in Havana on Friday?
And, oh, yeah, did he ever become the Messiah?
I’m disappointed in how little news there’s been about the now 22-year-old Gonzalez. He was in 1999 the focus of a fierce international custody battle.
