Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Silly Photo to Fill Space- Dolphin Photo





I don't regularly watch football, but I heard that the Miami Dolphins lost to the San Diego Charagers by a 23-13 count on Sunday. Yeah, I know made your day.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Quotes of the Week- Jack Benny





Two weeks ago, we quoted famous New Yorkers. Last week, we focused on two famous guys from Philly. Today (posting on Sunday instead of Monday in anticipation of a busy day!), we drop two quips from famous Chicagoans.

Here is one from Jack Benny (1894-1974), a famous comedian/actor who was always 39 years old (my age now.........):

"I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either."

Movies of Our Youth (10 of 12)_ "Purple Rain"





"Purple Rain"

This could also be an entry for our other blog which is running the series "Songs of Our Youth," but we'll try to be more original than that!

I must give credit to the NPR music show "Sound Opinions," which recently profiled the soundtrack album "Purple Rain." Both the album, which spawned the hit singles "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy, and the film were released 25 years ago.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Movies of Our Youth (9 of 12)- "Raising Arizona"




This early Coen Brothers film (their second after "Blood Simple") pre-dated "Fargo," "The Big Lebowski" and "No Country for Old Men," but it is a favorite of mine.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Movies of Our Youth (8 of 12)- "Bull Durham"




Congrats to the Durham Bulls from Durham, NC, , who won the Triple-A World Series over the Memphis Red Hawks by a 5-4 margin (the game lasted 11 innings, and it was broadcast on ESPN-2) in Oklahoma City last night.

Since they won the game, I thought I would feature the 1988 comedy hit "Bull Durham" as the latest entry in our series. At the time of the film, the Durham Bulls were in the Single-A Carolina League along with my hometown team the Salem Bucs from Salem, Va., (now the Salem Red Sox). But, the Bulls are now a triple-A franchise of the Florida Marlins.

Though I am considerably more politically moderate (I consider myself a centrist Democrat) than two of the film's stars, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, I admire their outspokeness against capital punishment which also happens to by my position on the highly controversial issue.

Robbins and Sarandon met on the set and quickly fell in love. They have co-habitated for a number of years but apparently they are not married. Both are also avid New York Rangers fans.

PS- This is NOT me in this photograph, but it is the mascot of the Durham Bulls.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Silly Photo to Fill Space- Birthday Cake




As of yesterday, we have been blogging for four years now. And, the original blog "Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time," which started on AOL, is still running!

Today is also the birthday for celebrities Scott Baio and Bonnie Hunt.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Quote of the Day- Bill Cosby




Last week, we went with quotes from New Yorkers so this week we are going with quotes from two famous Philadelphians on our two respective blogs.

Today, we start with comedian/actor Bill Cosby who gave the commencement address at North Carolina A & T University in Greensboro, NC, last year:

"I don't know what the key to success is, but the key to failure is to please everybody."

Our other blog, "Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time" will feature a quote from W.C. Fields.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Monday, September 14, 2009

Quote of the Week- Neil Simon





Since last week marked the eight anniversary of Septermber 11th, I thought I would continue the annual tradition of quoting famous New Yorkers to mark the occasion.

Today, we have quips from playwright Neil Simon and film director Martin Scorsese on our two respective blogs.

This quote is from Simon, I wonder if he was talking about Woody Allen:

"He's too nervous to kill himself. He wears his seat belt in a drive-in movie."

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Know Your Congress Reps and Senators (Entry 15 of 21)




It seems like another congressional rep from the Palmetto State, Cong. Joe Wilson (R-SC) is getting all the media attention these days due to his unruly outburst during President Barack Obama's address to both chambers of Congress.

Thus, we are putting our attention on another member of the South Carolina delegation.

Cong. James Clyburn (D-SC,born July 21, 1940) who represents the district around Charleston, SC, has the following accolades:

-Represents South Carolina's only majority black district

-He is the majority whip which makes him the third highest Democrat in the House behind House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Cong. Steny Hoyer (D-Md).

-Clyburn was also considered for the secretary of Housing and Urban Development cabinet position in the Obama administration. That post is now held by Shaun Donovan.

-

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Silly Photo to Fill Space- Volkswagen Beetle





We dedicate this entry to students who attend Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC, (not the community college I teach at) where parking is such a problem that students literally have to stalk other students who are walking to their cars to get their space!