Blog

  • ODDS and ENDS: Movie Trailers, They’re Talking About Me, and Christmas

    (Pay teachers more. You know it’s true.)

    Yesterday was a big day for the release of movie teaser trailers. We got one for the new Transformers movie though I wonder who out there is asking for another installment of that series, one for Guardians of the Galaxy, and the one that hit my sweet spot was the new Indiana Jones. Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I still find it exciting to watch after all of these years. It can still take me back to being seven years old and seeing it for the first time. And I can also say that I am old enough now to know that nothing, no matter how good this movie is, will recapture that feeling of being a little boy and having no idea where Raiders was going to take me. But at the same time, I will be first in line to see it when it comes out.

    There is a New York Times article that was written about me! Not me specifically, but my middle aged demographic, which I will take as the story is about me. The article examines why middle aged men are not returning to the workforce after the pandemic. The piece gives several reasons, but it mainly focuses on men who do not have college educations, as they make up a large number of these middle aged men. For me, I don’t necessarily want to return to an office job, but I do want to bring in additional income for my family. And family is the optimal word there. My real job is taking care of my daughter and my family, and I do enjoy it. Yet, living on one income in the most expensive city in the US, does make our lives feel rather fragile. I believe that things will change for us when we get into the new year. I’m not asking for much; just $500 a month would make a big difference.

    Christmas is like, three weeks away…

    (And here is where I ask you to like, comment, share, or follow my blog. It’s a standard thing I do now.)

  • World Cup Dispatch: Today’s Matches 12/2/22

    We are entering into the final day of the group stage, and I’m a little sad to see it come to an end. The matches over the last couple of days have been exciting, dramatic and decisive.

    In Group G, the always good Brazil is guaranteed to move on, so I don’t see them playing Cameroon too hard. Serbia v Switzerland could be exciting as the winner of that match should advance.

    Group H is pretty much in the same situation, with Portugal having already secured advancement. I was pulling for South Korea, and they have a chance, but to advance they have to beat Portugal. Yesterday, I would have said that was impossible… but… my honest gut feeling is that Ghana will take second in the group.

    I’m ready to be proved wrong, though, on all accounts. That’s what makes this fun!

    (You know what else is fun? You reading this blog. And if that’s true, please, give it a like.)

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): Today’s Matches 12/1/22

    The Belgians are out! I really didn’t see that coming. I don’t think anyone on the planet saw that coming.

    And did anyone pick Morocco to win the group?

    Group F was just nuts. I thought Belgium and Croatia would easily take the group, with Canada making a good showing. This one proves that not only do I have no idea what I am talking about, but so does everyone else.

    As for the late matches, I’m watching Japan rally from being down a goal against Spain, to being up a goal, in the span of ten minutes. The tides of a match can sway in the matter of seconds. Spain looked relaxed and in control, and now they are panicked and reeling. I would love, nothing more for Japan to win, but a draw that helps them advance is an outcome I would also accept.

    Then there is Germany against Costa Rica. And I just looked down at my phone and the score is now tied. If Germany goes down, in flames, at the bottom of this group, that will be two Cups in a row that they haven’t made it out of the Group Stage. I hate to say it, but could this be the start of Germany becoming the new Italy?

    Looks like we have another exciting day of football!

    UPDATE: That was a tense second half for the Spain v Japan match. Spain had a couple of good chances to score, and I don’t think anyone will ever doubt their ability to pass the ball, but Japan’s defense was tight and solid. Nothing was getting through, and I might also add that Japan looked really relaxed in their defensive lines. They weren’t rattled at all. Japan deserves to be top of the Group.

    And thus Germany is gone.

  • My New Favorite Lit Journals

    I alluded to this yesterday in my short story review, which is that I have found myself reading more flash fiction and short-short stories. The sources of this material has been coming from, primarily, online lit journals, which I have been spending more of my time looking for. What I am enjoying from these publications, and this applies to most but not all, is that they are showcasing writers that are playing and experimenting with the short story form.

    I know there are many quality online publications out there, but these four I have found very intriguing and inspiring of late.

    The Drift – This is probably the most traditional of all the publications, and also not exclusively online either, as they also print their editions. I won’t lie, I’d like to work for this group. Their short story and poetry selection is great. They showcase different viewpoints and styles, and aren’t afraid to try new things. Their Mentions section is of particular note.

    Taco Bell Quarterly – When I first discovered them, I wasn’t sure if they were a joke or not. Their posts on Twitter are highly anti-publishing establishment, to the point of being militant, but still retaining a sense of humor about it all.  Supposedly, the stories they publish must have a connection to Taco Bell, which may or may be true. The point is that they publish what they like, and don’t care what anyone thinks.

    Rejection Letters – According to their own “About” page, they started out publishing fake rejection letters. What they are now is a place for short fiction and poetry that can veer into the absurd. I find that the pieces they publish to be honest, but also they can be rather funny. I subscribe to them, which gets me a daily email with a new story or poem.

    Memoir Mixtapes – This is just a good idea for a journal – it’s all essays about people and the songs they find important, memorable, or fascinating. I love finding out about new music, and I really enjoy hearing articulate people describe why songs are important to them. Not only do they select good writers, but the added bonus is going out and finding these songs that were just described to you.

    I know there are a ton of other great publications out there. If you know of any, leave their names in comments so we can all share with each other.

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): Today’s Matches

    Shame on me for not taking the two early matches seriously. Sure, France didn’t have to win today, but I thought even their backbenchers could take care of Tunisia. And then I was like, there is no way Denmark is leaving the World Cup without a win. Thus proving, yet again, that I have no idea what I am talking about.

    But as for watching these two matches – Man! These were awesome!

    There is a very good chance that France will win this whole thing, and if that happens, Tunisia will have to honor of saying they handed the French their only loss.

    As for the Socceroos – They sure did dash Denmark’s dreams. And I am a big fan of Christian Eriksen, which just made me feel horrible for the guy, but Australia played like they wanted it more.

    Now we get to the matches I was looking forward to. Poland v Argentina, and Mexico v Saudi Arabia. Drama! Drama all over the place. No one in this group is out of it, so everyone is playing for the win. Mexico is one of my favorite teams, but they do have their work cut out for them, and they also need a helping hand from the Football Gods. The whole world will be watching to see what happens to Messi today, and understandably so. I agree, I would like to see Messi get to the Knockout Round, and if he is going to lose, at least get out of the Group Stage.

    My Uneducated Prediction: Argentina and Mexico advance. Just a gut feeling. And having said that… Poland and Saudi Arabia will advance in Group C.

    UPDATE: Man, I was wrong on all accounts. Argentina and Poland move to the next round. Now, that was pretty fun there when Mexico had to score one more goal, or Argentina had to score another goal, for Mexico to advance. I was flipping between the two matches, seeing who would score next. Nope, Saudi Arabia got a goal, and Mexico’s dreams were dashed.

    I said there would be drama, and that was drama!

    (And if you are enjoying this little blog, then please, give a like, and help out. I would appreciate it.)