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It’s moving day!
Published on 2012-01-11 15:59:34
– LAST BLOG POST HERE! – Today’s blog will be the last post at mickeymills.wordpress.com. After today you will find my postings at www.theprodigalscribe.com. Well, it’s not really a new address. I’ve had my website at www.theprodigalscribe.com for ages. This is more of a consolidation. The website traffic was negligible and the blog was [...] > read more
Counting Calories and Other Nonsense
Published on 2012-01-11 12:26:12
Most of the reading I am doing these days is pulling the numbers off nutrition labels. It’s enough to drive a food fan yumpy. I’m back on a low-calorie diet, at least for January. The few pounds I put back on during the Thanksgiving and Christmas food celebration will be the first to go. Dieting is no [...] > read more
Birds
Published on 2012-01-10 07:00:00
New Calendars
Published on 2012-01-09 11:06:56
What’s the best thing about 2012′s arrival? It’s a new tax year? Hardly. That much closer to next Spring? Maybe. Daytona is just a few weeks away? Possibly. How about you’ve been looking at the same calendar day-after-day for twelve months and now you can replace it. What started out last January as a fresh [...] > read more
A Birthday Fit for a King
Published on 2012-01-08 09:22:43
Happy Birthday Elvis! Elvis Aaron Presley was born January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He moved to Memphis when he was 13 and began singing for Sun Records when he was 19. Over his career he made music and movies for the masses like no other artist from the era. He is regarded as one [...] > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Blind Faith
Published on 2012-01-07 12:47:54
The Sixties—just the words bring to mind a wide variance of emotion and music. It was a period of change, of color, fashion and hallucinagenics. The music industry was very much like the old west town of Dodge City and supergroups were lining up as the big sheriff of the concert halls. Blind Faith is [...] > read more
Milestone – 500 blog posts
Published on 2012-01-07 08:50:09
Yesterday’s post represents a milestone in the Prodigal blog. It’ was my 500th posting since signing up with WordPress. I think the best is yet to come. Rock and Roll Saturday will follow in a bit. > read more
The Birds Are Confused
Published on 2012-01-06 19:57:19
It was knocking on 70° today. The birds were singing. I think the song was It Might as well Be Spring. The birds are confused. Hell, I’m confused. This time last year I was breaking my back digging out from the great blizzard of 2011. Today I was out in the Harley getting a cool [...] > read more
Can I Shoot Him?
Published on 2012-01-05 11:29:46
Oklahoma is still pretty much a wild west kind of place. There’s biker bars and honky-tonks around here where they check you for weapons at the door and if you don’t have one they give you one. This is the story of 18 year old Sarah McKinley. On New Years Eve, McKinley was home alone [...] > read more
First Wednesday
Published on 2012-01-04 10:49:52
The sun is high in the sky and temps on the plains are more like April than January. It’s the first Wednesday of 2012 and without my weirdo posts to fall back on I have to figure out what to write about. I don’t have the crutch of a regular topic to be researched and written. [...] > read more
Casey Anthony: Not Guilty
Published on 2011-07-05 16:48:28
Like much of America, today at 2:15 pm, Eastern, I was glued to an internet feed waiting for the judge to read the verdict. I had pretty much figured out, because of the short time the jury had deliberated, that “Murder in the First” was > read more
Tablets
Published on 2011-07-04 11:44:42
Remember Steve Jobs showing off the iPad just before it launched? It had that new look that said, “I’m a game changer. I can put the world in the palm of your hand, where ever your hand happens to be. I’m cool. I’m slick. I > read more
David Ragan Wins Coke Zero 400 at Daytona
Published on 2011-07-03 16:03:30
David Ragan atones for late race mistake that handed the Daytona 500 to rookie Trevor Bayne. Article first published as David Ragan Wins Coke Zero 400 at Daytona on Technorati. David Ragan was out front on the last restart, exactly where he was in F > read more
Rock & Roll Saturday — 40 Years A.D. — Jim Morrison
Published on 2011-07-02 10:24:12
I remember the early 70s with a sadness, a melancholy stretch of personal dysphoria. Voices of our generation, each individually silenced by death within a few short months. The sense of loss was nearly unbearable. It started with Hendrix in Septemb > read more
The Chase Heats Up in Daytona
Published on 2011-07-01 00:58:07
Article first published as The Chase Heats Up in Daytona on Technorati. The Summer Stop at the Birthplace of Speed Kicks Off a Ten Race Countdown to the Chase. Daytona in July is hot, hot, hot. So are drivers Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmi > read more
Ode to the Chronically Unemployed
Published on 2011-06-30 10:57:17
I just read this headline at one of the progressive news outlets. “Jobless claims continue to drop.” Sounds like really good news until I read into the body of the story — “US Weekly jobless claims, ending the week of 6/25, fe > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – June 29, 2011
Published on 2011-06-29 11:07:43
For this week’s visit to some of the weird places of America, we are off to Cooperstown, NY. No, not for the Baseball Hall of Fame. About the only thing weird about baseball are some of the names and the ever-fluctuating size of the strike zone > read more
Military School – 1966
Published on 2011-06-28 09:02:37
It was 1966. I was thirteen going on twenty. Looking back, I’m not sure I can blame them for sending me there. I was a handful. I was a strong willed child prone to rebellion. I’m sure the discussions went something like this. He’ll > read more
Kurt Busch Wins in Wine Country
Published on 2011-06-27 14:07:03
Article first published as Kurt Busch Wins in Wine Country on Technorati. Kurt Busch won the 23rd Annual Toyota/Save Mart 350, his 23rd victory in 380 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. He ties Ricky Rudd for 26th on the all-time victory list. It was > read more
Facebook Wants You to Be in Ads
Published on 2011-06-26 16:58:09
Facebook is going all in for advertising. They are betting that their users will comment on paid advertising. According to Adage, Facebook is lauching the capability to “Comment” on ad units. Those comments will then appear as sponsored s > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Michael Jackson
Published on 2011-06-25 11:22:46
If I had to put together a list of my favorite artists, Michael Jackson would not be there. That’s not about the talent and impact of the King of Pop. That’s about my taste and appreciation for the artists that would make my list. I may > read more
Observations in Question Form…
Published on 2011-06-24 14:56:18
Is global warming real? It is here. Do cops spend way too much time at Wal-Mart? Considering the People of Wal-Mart… They oughta be! Does this guy love fish? Get a room! Was Gandolph gay? Only his little Hobbit knows for sure. Is it possible to > read more
Groom Says Love is Ageless
Published on 2011-06-23 15:26:51
Well, what do you expect him to say when he’s 51 and she’s 16 — “I like the way she she looks in pigtails and plaid skirt.” Actor Doug Hutchison, 51, best known for the character Percy Wetmore in Stephen King’s > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – 6-22-2011
Published on 2011-06-22 10:52:11
We live in a country where weird is embraced as a lifestyle choice. Between weird places and the weirdos that live there, I love America. It’s like a weirda-a-pooloza on steroids. And just when you thought you’ve seen the weirdest of the > read more
FDA Goes for Shock and Awe
Published on 2011-06-21 09:49:41
Beginning September 2012, FDA will require larger, more prominent cigarette health warnings on all cigarette packaging and advertisements in the United States. These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a > read more
Man Robs Bank of $1.00 to Get Health Care
Published on 2011-06-20 18:25:36
Last week a North Carolina man walked into a branch of the RB&C Bank in Gastonia intent on robbery. James Verone is not your typical bank robber. He was not armed. He didn’t wear a mask. He did have a note asking for $1.00. After getting th > read more
It’s so hot….
Published on 2011-06-19 19:12:42
It’s so hot…. Bird’s are using potholders to dig for worms. Asphalt is finding its liquid state. I saw two tree’s fighting over a dog. Chickens are laying hard boiled eggs. Cows are giving powdered milk. Hot water comes out of > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Hendrix
Published on 2011-06-18 11:44:06
It’s been 44 years since Jimi Hendrix took a can of lighter fluid and set his Stratocaster ablaze. He began to squirm and writhe like a pagan priest in front of some demonic alter. He may have been conjuring up a complete shift in the coutercu > read more
Tragic News
Published on 2011-06-17 08:40:05
In the bar code is the announcement of Alan Haberman’s passing. Haberman is credited with the invention of the bar code in the 1940s. He was 81. > read more
Remember Balloon Boy Dad?
Published on 2011-06-16 12:20:35
I know this is not Weirdo Wednesday. That was yesterday. But this morning I ran across Balloon Boy dad Richard Heene on YouTube plying his wares. You might remember how he and wife, Mayumi, duped the national attention by flying a silver balloon thou > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – June 15, 2011
Published on 2011-06-15 15:30:59
June is the favorite month for weddings. Perfect timing to take a spin around the planet and find those off-the-beaten-path weird places people go to get married. For every wedding chapel and magistrates office in America is a strange, bizarre, od > read more
Buffalo Springfield at Bonnaroo
Published on 2011-06-14 11:06:53
The throng at Saturday night’s Bonnaroo festival was treated to a reunion of rock and roll royalty. Buffalo Springfield took the stage at 9:30 pm Sunday night at the middle Tennessee music festival. The show was the last of a seven date reunion > read more
Terra Nova
Published on 2011-06-13 19:08:21
Not be be outdone by the folks over at TNT, Fox TV is coming with its own big budget Sci-Fi series produced by Spielberg — Terra Nova. I love the premise. An international Television conglomerate suffering from mediocre ratings for everything n > read more
Falling Skies
Published on 2011-06-12 17:04:34
One of my favorite things in cinema/books/TV is Science Fiction. I mean, come on, who didn’t like “Lost in Space” with Doctor Smith and that freaking robot… “Danger, Will Robinson!” I recently watched a couple of e > read more
Rock & Roll Saturday – Bob Dylan at 70
Published on 2011-06-11 14:26:11
There are few people in pop culture who achieve the status of national treasure. Bob Dylan is one of them. In the history of Rock and Roll, Bob Dylan is likely its most prolific voice with a seemingly never ending basket of song. Born Robert Allen Zi > read more
Observations
Published on 2011-06-10 11:16:36
I didn’t think Newt had it in him. It seems strange that 21 year-olds have never known a world without the internet. Johnny Depp is filming 21 Jump Street. Let’s do the time warp again. Middle Earth looks very much like New Zealand. I mis > read more
Thinking about getting a new dog?
Published on 2011-06-09 10:11:09
Choosing a dog is no easy task. You want to make sure you choose a dog that fits your personality, your looks, your home — in other words, a dog that is a total match for you. Doggelganger is a website that does just that. If you go there and u > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – June 8, 2011
Published on 2011-06-08 17:26:51
As government offices struggle with operating budgets and how to work through financial shortfalls, the L.A. Coroner has found a creative way to supplement. Since 1993 the Coroner’s office has operated a Gift Shop, “Skeletons in the Close > read more
And They’re Off…
Published on 2011-06-07 12:08:46
It’s the equivalent of the evening news stakes race with your best thoroughbred at the gate. Monday night, in an understated debut, CBS quietly and firmly put the Katie Couric years behind them when veteran newsman Scott Pelley assumed his role > read more
Mullen Mulls Cuts for Military Pay
Published on 2011-06-06 19:12:04
Times are hard out there for the military. They are engaged on multiple fronts, many times fighting an enemy that can’t be seen, can’t be predicted, can’t be detected, and possibly can’t even be defeated. And at the same time > read more
Remembering June 5, 1968
Published on 2011-06-05 14:39:56
Not quite five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy was killed by an assassin’s bullet in Dallas, Robert Kennedy, democratic candidate for President, was shot in the head and back by gunman Sirhan Sirhan. Kennedy died the next day > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – The Mamas and the Papas
Published on 2011-06-04 12:38:00
I know what you are thinking. What in the world does The Mamas and the Papas have to do with Rock and Roll? They were pretty darn good folk singers but to tie them to Rock and Roll is like trying to tie Mickey Dolenz to The San Diego Zoo because he w > read more
National Doughnut Day
Published on 2011-06-03 08:04:51
“Holy round pastry, Batman!” “Yes it is, Robin.” In the never-ending march of National fill-in-the-blank Days this one ranks right up there as one of my absolute favorites. My love affair with the circular treat goes back to c > read more
Meet the Dennings
Published on 2011-06-02 19:57:42
Sometimes — every now and then, you stumble across the neatest people on the internet. Meet the Dennings. What an incredible story. I don’t want to tell it for them. To see what they are about click the photo and it will take you to their > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – June 4, 2011
Published on 2011-06-01 08:50:40
Last month we traveled around the World Wide Web, peeking at various weird places on the internet. We were treated to some pretty bizarre stuff and frankly… we barely scratched the surface. There is a cornucopia of weirdness out there just wait > read more
It’s just one of those days…
Published on 2011-05-31 16:39:26
I just can’t seem to think of anything to write about. It’s not like I couldn’t make something up if I wanted to. That’s kind of what I do. I write fiction. I make stuff up. Fiction writers, for all practical purposes, are pro > read more
Between Ecstasy and Error
Published on 2011-05-30 17:00:11
The first big race of the day had it — the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. On the last turn of the Indy 500, rookie J.R. Hildebrand smacked the outside wall and allowed Dan Wheldon to slip past for the win. It was a rookie mistake that w > read more
The Pinto Turns 40
Published on 2011-05-29 07:00:38
Okay, if you you owned a Pinto, raise your hand. Come on – you can do it. We know you are out there hiding in the closet of subcompact shame. But take heart, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Rejoice in the fact that you didn’t flambe > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – The Beach Boys
Published on 2011-05-28 08:22:26
Few musical groups today can claim they created a genre. The Beach Boys are one of the few. To commemorate the 50th year of the Beach Boys, today’s feature is dedicated to the boys from California. It was 1961, Hawthorne, California. Brothers B > read more
“Taxi” Star Jeff Conaway Dead at 60
Published on 2011-05-27 15:01:50
I remember him primarily for his Taxi character, struggling actor Bobby Wheeler, and for his role on Babylon 5 as Sgt. Zack Allen. Years later I would come to know him as Jeff Conaway, alcoholic/addict, struggling to find recovery and a little peace > read more
Kyle Busch is Fast in the Wrong Places
Published on 2011-05-26 13:17:41
Article first published as Kyle Busch is Fast in the Wrong Places on Technorati. Kyle Busch has been called reckless many times. Now he has the traffic citation to prove it. On Tuesday, Busch was observed by officers of the Iredell County SheriffR > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – May 25, 2011
Published on 2011-05-25 13:12:45
This month I’ve taken you to a few stops along the Weird Wide Web. Did you get your sucky jingle? Did you get some good safety tips to protect yourself from attacking hamsters? Maybe you figured out why you hate clowns. There are some corners o > read more
The Space Program
Published on 2011-05-24 09:24:49
I watched The Right Stuff over the weekend. I thought back to the days when we had heroes in the sky. If you would have asked a ten-year old me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have told you, with complete confidence, I wanted to be an as > read more
Devastation in Joplin
Published on 2011-05-23 08:41:44
Until you’ve lived through the raw power of nature you can’t fully appreciate the depth of her unforgiving nature. My thoughts and prayers go out to the citizens of Joplin as they work to recover from this devastating tornado. Search resu > read more
Carl Edwards Cruises to Victory in All-Star Race
Published on 2011-05-22 16:37:24
Article first published as Carl Edwards Cruises to Victory in All-Star Race on Technorati. Carl Edwards summed up his night with these words: “Tonight, our car was superior.” And boy was it. Prior to the restart for the final ten lap segm > read more
Rock and Rock Saturday – Apocalypse Rock
Published on 2011-05-21 10:09:00
To commemorate the impending apocalypse I thought we’d look back at some of the music of our generation that addressed the end of time. I didn’t know there were so many. First we’ll start with some of the more memorable. Eve of Des > read more
The Highs and Lows of Trevor Bayne
Published on 2011-05-20 12:07:59
Article first published as The Highs and Lows of Trevor Bayne on Technorati. A Cinderella story played out in Daytona a relative NASCAR lifetime ago. Way back in February, a twenty year old rookie, Trevor Bayne, drove the wheels off his Motorcraft Fo > read more
Observations
Published on 2011-05-19 10:00:18
Lindsey Lohan getting more press than dying American sons and daughters is a national disgrace. What ever happened to, “If it bleeds, it leads!” The war may not be pretty but at least people don’t die when LiLo steals a bracelet. If > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – May 18, 2011
Published on 2011-05-18 13:01:46
I’ve been totally weirded out in my quest for the weirdest of the weird. What’s weird is I just used weird three times in the same sentence and it doesn’t suck that bad even though it goes against everything I learned in good writin > read more
Author Interviewed today
Published on 2011-05-17 15:43:44
My many sincerest thanks to my dear friend, Belle Whittington, for featuring me at her blog today. In short…. you rock! Mickey Mills interview at Belle’s Blog > read more
Kenseth Steals One at the Monster Mile
Published on 2011-05-16 16:45:09
Article first published as Kenseth Steals One at the Monster Mile on Technorati. Delaware may be the only state without a National Park, but it does have one monster of a speedway — the Monster Mile at Dover. NASCAR’s finest lined up Sunday a > read more
I Must’ve Missed that Memo
Published on 2011-05-15 20:16:38
If you weren’t aware that May is Zombie Awareness Month, you may be part of the problem and not the solution. This marks the fourth year Zombie Awareness Month has been held, and according to Matt Mogk, the founder and head of the Zombie Rese > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Led Zeppelin
Published on 2011-05-14 08:29:21
As we found out last Saturday certain dates in the timeline of rock and roll are epic. Like a steam locomotive the music was gathering momentum towards sounds like we’ve never heard before. Ground zero for the revolution was London. The Beatles > read more
Everyday Fiction 3 – The Anthology
Published on 2011-05-13 10:59:32
The third Everyday Fiction anthology is now on sale. It includes four fantastic pieces of flash fiction written by my favorite writer, Debi Blood. (Only one other writer had as many.) Yours truly has three stories in this book including Trajectory, F > read more
Charlotte Motor Speedway Unveils World’s Largest HD TV
Published on 2011-05-12 13:15:20
Article first published as Charlotte Motor Speedway Unveils World’s Largest HD TV on Technorati. Charlotte Motor Speedway has always set the gold standard in race promotions and providing the race fan with a first class motorsports experience. > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – May 11, 2011
Published on 2011-05-11 12:58:56
Continuing with the Weird Websites theme, I have been amazed at the level of weirdness available at the click of a mouse. William Shakespere once posed the question– “To be weird, or not to be weird…” (Or was that Steve Jobs?) > read more
Angels
Published on 2011-05-10 12:41:07
Everybody has some kind of vision of what Angels are. Hollywood has put their spin on the heavenly ambassadors practically since the first roll of film snaked through a camera. From Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life to Buck Henry in Heaven Can > read more
The only thing worse than Royal Wedding hats….
Published on 2011-05-09 07:00:14
….are Kentucky Derby hats! > read more
Observations on Mother’s Day
Published on 2011-05-08 10:32:28
What do John Wayne, Ted Bundy, Adolph Hitler and Gandhi all have in common? They all had a mother. (Not the same mother, of course) My favorite TV moms: Clair Huxtable (Cosby Show) Madeline Westen (Burn Notice) Peg Bundy (Married With Children) Lucy > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – The Million Dollar Quartet
Published on 2011-05-07 07:00:19
The Date: Tuesday, December 4, 1956 The Place: Sun Records, Memphis, TN. The Event: An unlikely gathering of legends Sam Phillips, founder and owner/producer of Sun Records in Memphis has been referred to as the “Father of Rock N Roll.” I > read more
To Honor a Hero
Published on 2011-05-06 07:00:29
At a small ceremony tomorrow, Saturday, May 7, at Bath Iron Works – Bath, Maine, the US Navy will christen a new warship, the  USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112). New ships are launched all the time but this one is special. This ship was named aft > read more
Pole Dancing is a Sport
Published on 2011-05-05 09:41:30
I’m kind of old school so I am trying to embrace this concept. There’s no ball, no net, no referees; there’s no goal line, puck, or race car. (Yes, car racing is a sport but that’s another argument for another blog.) But don&# > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – May 4, 2011
Published on 2011-05-04 07:00:40
Here we are in May and in the aftermath of Bin Laden’s demise it’s been a virtual weirdo-palooza. To give the walking around weirdos a rest for a few weeks, I am declaring May to be Weird Wide Web month; a total look at some of the weird > read more
The Tip of the Spear
Published on 2011-05-03 09:34:52
Navy Seal Team 6 (ST6) The United States Navy SEa, Air and Land (SEAL) Teams, commonly known asNavy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy‘s principal special operations force and is a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) ST6 has been in th > read more
The Deed is Done
Published on 2011-05-02 09:20:29
A Small Place in the City
Published on 2011-05-01 11:27:19
Meet professional organizer, Felice Cohen. She’s brought new meaning to the term — Downsizing. It’s a proven fact that the average size of American homes are shrinking. After decades of expanding square footage and the major increas > read more
Rock & Roll Saturday – Remembering Phoebe Snow
Published on 2011-04-30 13:37:14
By all rights and circumstance, Phoebe Snow could have sung the Mississippi Delta blues right along side Robert Johnson, Memphis Minnie, or Howlin’ Wolf. Lord knows she had plenty to be blue about. Phoebe sang to a generation lost in space with > read more
Observations of a Royal Wedding
Published on 2011-04-29 13:57:02
I think I know who wears the pants suit in that family. Although… Prince William does carry the sword. It’s somewhat unfortunate that the royals planned the wedding to coincide with “Wear an Ugly Hat to a Wedding” day. (I wond > read more
After the Long and Winding Road
Published on 2011-04-28 09:29:24
Many of you know I just got back from a long motorcycle trip to SC to visit family, specifically my son Mike, who recently turned 30. Happy Birthday Mike! He’s a musician, specifically a bass player in a rock and roll band. Actually that’ > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – April 27, 2011
Published on 2011-04-27 10:01:12
This headline got my attention: “Florida: America’s Weirdest State” AOL always has the best weirdo stuff and having spent a lot of time in the Sunshine State, I had no choice but to dig deeper. According to Fark admin and AOL Weird > read more
NFL in Freefall
Published on 2011-04-26 11:42:19
What was once the crowning achievement in U.S. sports is rapidly becoming a laughing stock of embarrassment for fans and other onlookers across the world stage. At issue is the inability of the players, represented by the National Football League Pla > read more
I ♥ Hubble
Published on 2011-04-25 12:21:41
On this day in 1990, the Space telescope Hubble was released from the space shuttle Discovery beginning a new era in Astronomy. The origins of the Hubble project can be traced back to Astronomer Lyman Spitzer who wrote a paper in 1946 titled ” > read more
Sunday Morning in Shawnee
Published on 2011-04-24 10:05:23
The wind pushed me all the way yesterday. The weather outlook for Sunday was not very promising so I decided to ride it all the way. I’d rather ride a dry night than a wet day. Anyway, I caught a brief storm near Henryetta, OK., last night. The > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – The Beatles
Published on 2011-04-23 05:29:34
I know there was a lot of Rock and Roll grooving America a long time before the Beatles came along. Between Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry, Elvis and Buddy Holly, the generation of rock was already well on its way. And then came the “British invasi > read more
Nashville
Published on 2011-04-22 22:00:36
I made it to Nashville yesterday. I’m afraid I am going to have to break down and put a new tire on Pearl. I didn’t want to but I felt her fishtailing a couple of times, so I gotta. With a little luck I’ll be heading towards Oklahom > read more
Travel day – rain included
Published on 2011-04-21 07:00:12
Pearl and I are headed towards Nashville, TN., today. Hopefully we won’t have to deal with too much rain. I’m sorry for the short blogs but it’s about all I can do until I get off the highway. More later. > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – April 20, 2011
Published on 2011-04-20 07:00:23
Since I am traveling and don’t have a lot of time to do weirdo research and such, I’m taking the path of least resistance for this week’s Weirdo Wednesday. I found an organization of self-proclaimed weirdos. Last count… 96 The > read more
Trip report
Published on 2011-04-19 13:43:16
Still in Myrtle Beach. I visited with an old friend yesterday. That was very cool. He related a story to me about something that happened with us on the first day of the first grade. I don’t remember the event but it involved cops and being on > read more
Published on 2011-04-18 19:51:22
Article first published as Jimmie Johnson Storms to Close Finish at Talladega on Technorati. At the end of Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway you could have thrown a big blanket over the top six cars at the finish line. Jimmi > read more
Observations From the Open Road.
Published on 2011-04-17 16:07:20
It was good to see some Spanish Moss and Cypress trees. Greeleyville is the same wide spot on the two lane I remember. A big hawk flew right over me practically in arms reach. I took it as strong mojo. I can smell the ocean. My brother’s hair i > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday — The Songwriters
Published on 2011-04-16 13:57:13
Since the beginning of time certain men and women have been able to put pen to paper and couple words to music and that collection of music became song. Through the ages songs were sung in praise and joy, in sorrow and pain, in lust and romance. The > read more
Back in the old stomping grounds
Published on 2011-04-15 16:38:12
After 1,100 miles of eastward asphalt, Pearl and I are back in Columbia, SC. My kid turned thirty yesterday and to celebrate with him, going to make his Birthday Bash at TLC Columbia tonight. TLC = The Loose Cockaboose (It’s a Gamecock thing) I > read more
On the road again…
Published on 2011-04-14 07:00:56
Me and Pearl are headed east so blog posts may be short and sporadic. I spent the night in Memphis. Going to get to Atlanta today. > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – April 13, 2011
Published on 2011-04-13 07:00:23
Someone that steals is called a thief. Someone that steals a judge’s gavel is called a stupid thief. There are time I will blur the lines between stupid and weird. Someone can be weird without being stupid and other’s can be stupid withou > read more
Progress Report –
Published on 2011-04-12 05:34:32
None lately. Occasionally someone will ask, “How’s Haunting Charleston coming along?” That’s a great question. Later on today, after I get back from the VA, I’ll surf my way to the HC folder, blow the dust off and find o > read more
Matt Kenseth Tops the Field in Texas
Published on 2011-04-11 15:28:15
Article first published as Matt Kenseth Tops the Field in Texas on Technorati. You know how it is when you used to go somewhere a lot and then stop going you have a hard time remembering where it is? It was kind of like that for Matt Kenseth. After w > read more
San Francisco to Paris in Two Minutes
Published on 2011-04-10 12:18:16
Found this little gem at AOL Travel - Nate Bolt is my new favorite photographer. Not so much because he takes marvelous photos, (and I’m sure he does) but because he had the creative chops to come up with the idea and implement it so perfectly. > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Drummers
Published on 2011-04-09 11:09:15
From the first day Disk Jockey Alan Freed coined the phrase, Rock & Roll, the unsung hero of every outfit has been the drummer. He’s also the hardest working man on stage. Show after show, the drummer sets the beat and the foundation of eve > read more
Blogging Postaday-2011
Published on 2011-04-08 17:02:36
I suppose I really didn’t know what I was signing up for. Â It seemed so simple at the time. All you have to do is write a post a day for every day of 2011. Sounds simple, right? Finding something to write about every day is difficult, at best. > read more
Junior Nation Wringing Their Hands in Frustration
Published on 2011-04-07 12:14:24
Article first published as Junior Nation Wringing Their Hands in Frustration on Technorati. Junior Nation is not a small country south of the border. Junior Nation is about one man — Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s most popular driver and son o > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – April 6, 2011
Published on 2011-04-06 09:11:28
And beyond that — A$$hole of the week, idiot of the week, dumba$$ of the week, and of course, sick ba$t— of the week. And so far, authorities don’t even know who it is. When they find Mister Idiot-With-a-Gun, I hope they throw the b > read more
Speaking of News…
Published on 2011-04-05 08:51:23
CBS won’t confirm it. Katie’s camp is all mum. Nobody wants to talk about what everybody knows. It was really big news in 2006 when everybody was talking about Katie, the first woman to chair an evening news broadcast. CBS lured Couric aw > read more
Lookin’ Kinda Silly with a Hole in Your Plane
Published on 2011-04-04 09:07:55
Statistically speaking, flying is safe. The odds of being on a plane that has some kind of catastrophic failure mid-flight is minuscule. Or, if you happened to be one of the 118 people on Southwest Flight 812 (a Boeing 737-300) headed to Sacramento t > read more
Butler Goes Back to the Final Four
Published on 2011-04-03 11:46:35
Consider this my annual obligatory Basketball blog. Butler University is a small liberal arts college in Indianapolis. This trip to the championship game is their second year in a row. Once is a miracle — twice is a trend. Good luck to the Butl > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Marvin Gaye
Published on 2011-04-02 07:18:02
I love rock and roll but I grew up on Motown. Myrtle Beach was an R&B town in the 60s. To a large degree, at it’s roots it still is. Beach music, as it’s called over there, evolved right alongside the hits from Motown. Marvin GayeR > read more
Observations
Published on 2011-04-01 07:02:43
Places I would like to return to before I die. – Cape Hatteras, NC. – New Orleans, LA. – Brugge, Belgium – Okinawa – The Daytona 500 – The Air and Space Museum (Wash, DC) – New York, NY. – Sturgis, SD. > read more
Mark Martin to Make 800th Start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Published on 2011-03-31 10:35:23
Article first published as Mark Martin to Make 800th Start In The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Technorati. Mark Martin will join an exclusive club this Sunday in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, becoming the eighth driver to sta > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – March 30, 2011
Published on 2011-03-30 07:00:23
Usually I hang a weirdo sign on one person in particular. Today I am going to tag a new business coming to a Social Network near you. Cloud Girlfriend is a new company with one single purpose – to provide a virtual girlfriend. How big of a lose > read more
I Lost my Job – Somebody in Mumbai Found It!
Published on 2011-03-29 07:00:55
Over the last couple of years you could not open a newspaper, turn on a television, or talk to a neighbor without hearing about the disappearing jobs situation across America. I haven’t worked in over two years. That’s not entirely true. > read more
Next it will be… “Off with his head!”
Published on 2011-03-28 09:34:21
Did you see this headline over the weekend? “Biden Aide Apologizes After Reporter Kept in Storage Closet During Fundraiser.” You can’t make that kind of stuff up. This VP is becoming the biggest national embarrassment since Dan Qua > read more
Eyeball update
Published on 2011-03-27 12:21:47
It’s been almost three weeks since the surgery on my eye to remove a cataract. I thought it was time to give an update. My old good eye is now my bad eye, although still pretty darn good. The surgery went well and I can see ten-times better. On > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Trios
Published on 2011-03-26 19:26:23
I got to thinking about Rock and Roll trios (Not Johnny Burnette and the Memphis Rockabilly trio from the 1950s.) I was thinking about the best three-piece bands of my generation. The first famous trio that comes to mind is the Kingston Trio, America > read more
Johnson’s Good at Fontana
Published on 2011-03-25 06:00:19
Article first published as Johnson’s Good at Fontana on Technorati. To say Jimmie Johnson is good at Fontana’s Auto Club Speedway is like saying there’s cheese in Wisconson. It’s an old fashioned understatement on steroids. Ok > read more
Elizabeth Taylor – Hollywood’s Last Great Icon
Published on 2011-03-24 07:00:32
From a film career that began early in the 1940s to fame, fortune, misfortune, and finally death of congestive heart failure. She was many things to many people, but to sum it all up, she was nothing short of a national treasure. She lived her life u > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – March 23, 2011
Published on 2011-03-23 09:25:07
Most of the time being named Weirdo of the week will be about the weird things you do. In the case of this week’s entry it’s not so much about what she does. It’s more about the weird clothes and costumes she wears. Yes, you guessed > read more
An Eye for an Eye
Published on 2011-03-22 10:17:32
With revelations coming out that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi likely ordered the Bombing of Pan Am flight 103 it is no surprise that American families affected by the tragedy are calling this recent action, “Long Overdue.” Setting the a > read more
The Cash Cow Cometh
Published on 2011-03-21 14:00:26
The Charlie Sheen story is like the gift that keeps on giving. Just when you thought he slithered away never to be heard from again, at least until the court date for his $100 million dollar lawsuit against Warner Brothers, there he is — front > read more
Epic Dream Sequences
Published on 2011-03-20 11:00:57
I was watching House last week, a brilliant episode I might add, and it occurred to me I should take a look back at epic dream sequences in movie and television across the years. What started this whole thought process was House and Cuddy  in a ve > read more
Rock and Roll Saturday – Canned Heat
Published on 2011-03-19 13:46:20
GOING UP THE COUNTRY I’m going up the country, baby don’t you wanna go I’m going up the country, baby don’t you wanna go I’m going to some place where I’ve never been before I’m going, I’m going where t > read more
There’s Racing… And Then There’s Bristol
Published on 2011-03-18 11:04:40
Article first published as There’s Racing… And Then There’s Bristol on Technorati. Former Bristol Motor Speedway President Jeff Byrd, who passed away last year after a battle with cancer, will be honored for his contribution > read more
Observations
Published on 2011-03-17 14:40:15
The aftermath in Japan breaks my heart. Gilbert Gottfried is pretty much an idiot and wasn’t that good of a duck anyway. Spring is here. Pirates of the Caribbean 4, coming to a theater near you. Pirates of Somalia, coming to a Naval gunsight ne > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – March 16, 2011
Published on 2011-03-16 07:00:21
I may have to raise the bar. What would’ve been weird, say a dozen years ago, has almost become commonplace. Between hoarders and politicians, the lines between weird and normal have blurred. Also, it’s a matter of perception. For example > read more
Stairway to Heaven – (Short Fiction)
Published on 2011-03-15 07:00:25
“It was right there,” the lanky old man said and pointed to the old brick steps twisting their way up the hillside to some unseen landing above. “What was?” his curmudgeon friend quizzically asked. “You know… that song, Stairway to He > read more
World’s Youngest Grandmother is 23
Published on 2011-03-14 07:00:18
I think that bears repeating… THE WORLD’S YOUNGEST GRANDMOTHER IS 23! Our story begins just a few short years ago in a Romanian village where 11 year-old, Rifca Stanescu, married a 13-year-old jewelry seller. She was afraid of being marri > read more
Cap’n Crunch Attacked by Pirates
Published on 2011-03-13 12:52:41
Reports are coming in from the Gulf of Arden that famed maritime commander, Cap’n Crunch, and his ship have been boarded by Somali Pirates and at this time are slowly sailing towards Somalia. Cap’n Crunch, whose real name is Horatio Magel > read more
R&R Saturday – The Alice Cooper Band
Published on 2011-03-12 13:11:21
I was a few years shy of eighteen when Vincent Damon Furnier, a.k.a. Alice Cooper, released Love It to Death. For better of worse, my life would never be the same again. A new day in music was upon us. The Alice Cooper Band (ACB) was Vaudeville meets > read more
U.S. Embassy to staff 17,000. Seriously???
Published on 2011-03-11 07:00:14
I was listening to NPR’s Neal Conan, Talk of the Nation, the other day on my way back from the VA. His guest that afternoon was Ted Koppel . (The Podcast of that program can be found here.) The topic of the show was whether or not the U.S. shou > read more
Short blog today…
Published on 2011-03-10 07:00:41
Recovering from Eye surgery yesterday. > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – March 9, 2011
Published on 2011-03-09 05:00:57
Reservoirs of ink has been sloshed around the past week dedicated to Charlie Sheen, the worst Hollywood melt-down since Mel “You-make-me-want-to-smoke!” Gibson. I don’t want to add to it, I was just sort of obligated to give him a s > read more
Cataract-B-Gone
Published on 2011-03-08 07:00:33
That would be an awesome product. Head up to the corner drug store and pick up a bottle of Cataract-B-Gone drops in the eye care section and a week later you are seeing like a teenager again. Maybe in a few years, but today removal of cataracts requi > read more
Hot Cars in the Vegas Spotlight
Published on 2011-03-07 10:44:06
Article first published as Stewart Mistake Hands Victory to Surging Carl Edwards on Technorati. Tony Stewart had the field covered. The No. 14 Office Depot/Mobile 1 Chevrolet looked to be unbeatable, leading for 127 of the first 150 laps. And then du > read more
Morgan Shepherd-NASCAR Driver/Crimefighter
Published on 2011-03-06 11:20:39
Morgan Shepherd has been around awhile. When you think about the roots of the sports, you think about men who ran moonshine in the mountains of North Carolina who would get together on weekends and race their cars. The most famous of these men is Jun > read more
Rock and Roll Saturdays
Published on 2011-03-05 13:25:09
Remember awhile back I mentioned that daily blogging is tough because you have to consistently find new and interesting topics. A few of you wrote that you like my music blogs, so I’m going to dedicate my Saturdays to some musical topic. Whethe > read more
Plagiarism is a social media disease
Published on 2011-03-04 07:00:27
I was sifting through a writer’s group and came across a post by a writer named, Bob Etier. I don’t know Bob. (I didn’t know it was Miss Bob until I looked at her profile) It’s very likely our path’s have never crossed a > read more
Observations
Published on 2011-03-03 16:10:03
I’m beginning to believe playing the “Powerball” is a questionable retirement planning strategy. The press has dedicated way to much ink to “Charlie Sheen” (Future Weirdo Wednesday candidate) You have to wonder what kind > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – March 2, 2001
Published on 2011-03-02 07:00:32
Let’s step into Mister Peabody’s “Wayback” machine and turn the dials back to the nineteenth century — 1899 should do it. Strap yourself in as we traverse the fabric of time and space. The place — Colorado Springs. > read more
Better late than not at all.
Published on 2011-03-01 17:42:08
I actually have a couple of paying projects in the house so I’m working on those. So this is not really a blog. It’s more a note to say I’m still here! I’ll be back tomorrow with a new weirdo… any suggestions? “I&# > read more
Last Oscar Blog
Published on 2011-02-28 07:00:47
Simply put…. Most boring Oscar show ever! Sometimes… I am a man of few words. Maybe I’m just an old sourpuss because True Grit went O’fer. Oh well — there’s always next year. > read more
I forgot
Published on 2011-02-27 10:38:53
For an instant last night, wrapped up in my own world that included hot chocolate, Facebook, a chocolate chip cookie, this odd little dog, and a dozen other things to steal my attention away from reality, I forgot to write. What scares me about that > read more
Oscar Week – Part III
Published on 2011-02-26 07:00:00
No, not that Oscar. So what do Vegas odds makers have to say about the Oscars? From what I can tell this is the year of the “Sure Thing.” You have to go way down the Oscar ladder to Best Foreign Language Film to find anything close to a r > read more
Congress: NASCAR vs. NPR
Published on 2011-02-25 07:00:52
I love NASCAR; I write about it, read about it, and have been hanging around the sport for years. I also listen to NPR. I love the Car Guys, All Things Considered, Story Corps, and Fresh Air. Battle lines have been drawn under the capitol dome; Rep > read more
Oscar week – Part Deaux
Published on 2011-02-24 07:00:46
No, not that Oscar. The 83rd Academy Awards Ceremony is this Sunday evening, live from Tinsletown. Historically there is usually a bit of pre-Oscar buzz surrounding circumstances in the main categories. Things seem to be quiet on the Oscar front.. T > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Feb 23, 2011
Published on 2011-02-23 07:00:31
People come and people go, but Weirdos are a constant flow. My Weirdo du jour will most likely be very unpopular for any female under the age of 16, not that I have many readers meeting that criteria; I’m sure I am speaking to a different audie > read more
Oscar week
Published on 2011-02-22 07:00:20
No – not that Oscar. I’m talking about that little gold-plated statuette that Hollywood’s elite, and not so elite, want to wrap their tinsletown paws around in recognition of film triumph. I’ll admit it publicly. The Academy A > read more
Observations
Published on 2011-02-21 09:39:27
Martin Lawrence likes to dress in women’s clothes. (See Big Mama 3) Egypt is free. (And if you don’t believe it, ask the military generals in charge) Mission Accomplished. Seems like I remember when the mission was accomplished in Europe > read more
Danicamania
Published on 2011-02-20 07:00:12
Never has a driver of the female variety come into the sport with this much notoriety and hoopla. Could be that no rookie has ever had this much attention thrust their direction before ever strapping into a stock car. I might be a little old school, > read more
I’ll Take Rock and Roll Lyrics for $300
Published on 2011-02-19 07:00:28
I’ve never really been musically talented, unlike my son who is one heck of a musician. But I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about rock and roll being a long time consumer. So when I saw the topic “Rock and Roll Lyrics” come u > read more
The Loss of a Legend
Published on 2011-02-18 06:00:23
The Place: Daytona Speedway The Date: February 18, 2001 The loss: Unimaginable Certain events in life come along like the Kennedy assassination, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and the attack on the twin towers. They have weight and depth of d > read more
The Casual Kings – CD Release Party – Friday, Feb 18, at The House in Five Points Columbia, S.C.
Published on 2011-02-17 07:00:00
The Casual Kings are: “one of the breakthrough acts in the southeast this year!” REVERBNATION If you live anywhere close to Columbia, SC, the place to be tomorrow night is The House in Five Points. The Casual Kings are bringing their full > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Feb 16, 2011
Published on 2011-02-16 07:00:32
Part of the problem with selecting the Weirdo of the week is related to the fine line between weird and eccentric. It’s a matter of perspective. If you are poor, you’re weird; if you’re rich, you’re eccentric. For example: I a > read more
Knee Deep in the Hoopla
Published on 2011-02-15 07:00:02
In 1971 Don McClean sang about the day the music died. He coined the phrase in reference to February 3, 1959, when three Rock and Roll musicians (Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson) died in a plane crash ne > read more
Valentine’s Day
Published on 2011-02-14 10:03:33
February 14 – Valentines Day; the annual love-fest brought to you by the good folks at Hallmark. Seriously, I thought Valentines day was dreamed up by the chocolate candy and greeting card folks for the sole purpose of extracting dollars from y > read more
Daytona is Fast, Fast, Fast
Published on 2011-02-13 07:00:10
Congrats to Kurt Busch for winning last night’s kick-off race to NASCAR 2011, the Budweiser Shootout. The true winner was anybody in the stands or sitting in front of a TV to watch this race unfold. With new asphalt and nerves of steel, drivers > read more
Happy Birthday Mr. President
Published on 2011-02-12 07:00:53
Happy Birthday to you. Our sixteenth President was born Feb 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin on the Sinking Spring Farm in southeast Hardin County, Kentucky.(now LaRue County).  From these humble beginnings grew a politician and orator who would s > read more
San Francisco
Published on 2011-02-11 07:00:57
“The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” ~Mark Twain June 1, 2009, I snapped this photo looking across the water to Alcatraz Prison. My belly was full from the chowder bowl I enjoyed at Boudins on the Wharf > read more
The Lohan Chronicles
Published on 2011-02-10 07:00:52
I know yesterday was Weirdo Wednesday so bringing up Lindsey Lohan up today feels somewhat redundant, but I just can’t help myself. Sometimes the idiot factor demands public observation. I’m not going to rehash the problems of little miss > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Feb 9, 2011
Published on 2011-02-09 07:00:56
Trust me, there is no shortage of weirdos out there. Â I could do a Weirdo blog 24/7Â and have candidates stacked to the rafters. From the slightly weird to the outlandishly weird to the occasional freakazoid who takes weird to a whole new level, the > read more
He’s a Beaglemaniac!
Published on 2011-02-08 07:00:56
One look into the innocence of this bundle of Beagle love and you would think… “Awwwwwww — What a sweet and marvelous puppy!” You would be mistaken. This little guy is a canine wrecking crew. Nothing is safe from the jaws of d > read more
Monday morning quarterbacking
Published on 2011-02-07 07:00:25
Green Bay wins. Pittsburgh loses. And it didn’t snow. It was a good game. I missed the cheerleadrs.. The Black Eyed Peas are a lot stranger than I remember. Slash still wears that big hat. Usher still dances like Michael Jackson. The commercial > read more
The Elephant in the Super Bowl
Published on 2011-02-06 07:00:59
Forgetting all the weather delays, cancelled flights, player posturing, and coaching rhetoric, the big game is tonight and I can say two things with absolute confidence: There will be one winner and one loser. And then the question shifts to the elep > read more
A Super Bowl Without Cheerleaders???
Published on 2011-02-05 07:00:42
O M G!!! Is there some cruel football god who twisted his fickled finger of fortune into colossal karma and mated two football teams without a cheerleading squad? Stop the insanity!! Yes, you heard me correctly. Â Since that first Super Bowl when the > read more
Snowpocalypse 2011
Published on 2011-02-04 07:00:25
Unless you’re vacationing in Tahiti, laid up in a coma, or living deep below a West Virginia cow pasture in a coal mine, you’ve probably heard there’s been a little snow. From Maine to Chicago through the Plain states into North Tex > read more
Worst Super Bowl Ads
Published on 2011-02-03 07:00:20
With Super Bowl Sunday only a few days away, it occurs to me that people watch the big game for one of three reasons – Football, Halftime, or the Commercials. Let’s take a moment to focus on the latter. Corporate American shells out great > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Feb 2, 2011
Published on 2011-02-02 07:00:45
Two Words – Cousin Eddie. As weird as Eddie is, the actor that plays him is as weird as they come. Randy Quaid brought the Eddie character to life, as no other weirdo could. But then this weirdo has made a career of playing weirdos. There was > read more
Is GE Helping China Compete Against Boeing?
Published on 2011-02-01 07:00:09
Things that make you go hmmmm. The NY Times recently reported that GE would sign a lucrative joint-venture deal with a state owned Chinese manufacturer to provide the same high-tech avionics technology Boeing uses in their new advanced airliner the > read more
“Being Human” on SyFy Network (Review)
Published on 2011-01-31 07:00:42
What do a Vampire, a Werewolf, and a Ghost have in common? They share an apartment in Boston. As jokes go, it’s not a very good one. The thing is, this is not a joke. It’s the premise of a new series on the SyFy Network called Being Human > read more
Millie (Short Fiction)
Published on 2011-01-30 07:00:45
She instantly had 100% of my attention. It was not her looks, although the tie-dyed tee and long flowing skirt were visually stimulating, it was her voice and lingo that drew me in. “Man, I want a hot cup of Peppermint Ginseng Tea with a Gingerbrea > read more
The Cough Drop Buffett
Published on 2011-01-29 07:00:45
It seems like such a simple thing – picking out just the right cough drop. Simple? I don’t think so. Have you been on the cough drop aisle lately? Aside from the venerable Halls, Vicks, and Riiii-colaaaa, you get your basic store brands a > read more
Remembering Challenger – Jan 28, 1986
Published on 2011-01-28 07:00:58
It’s one of those moments seared into memory like the Kennedy Assassination and the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. A blink in history so intense it will never be forgotten. Twenty-five years ago I was sitting in my cubicle in Ral > read more
Do you remember my “Flu Battle” blog?
Published on 2011-01-27 07:00:22
So for the nearly two weeks now the battle rages on.  I thought it was letting up yesterday, but during the night the cough came back with a vengeance. For that very reason today’s blog is going to be short and to the point. The point being, > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Jan 26, 2011
Published on 2011-01-26 07:00:26
Today’s Weirdo of the Week is not dedicated to one weirdo in particular. It’s dedicated to a program that specializes in weirdos. Â To commemorate Season Ten of American Idol, launching tonight on Fox Television, let’s look back at > read more
Back on Haunting Charleston
Published on 2011-01-25 07:03:33
After completing the edit on my friend’s memoir I am finally back on Haunting Charleston.  I needed a break and as it turned out I needed the experience of editing someone else’s work. It was easy to see the problems with my own writin > read more
Goodbye Jack Lalanne
Published on 2011-01-24 07:00:17
At 96 years old Jack Lalanne was in better physical condition than many people half his age. In spite of his general good health, he died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay on California’s central > read more
Fast, Fast, Fast
Published on 2011-01-23 07:00:30
It’s official – the new surface at Daytona Speedway is fast, fast, fast. Sprint Cup teams have been testing setups and drafting at the “Birthplace of Speed,” since Thursday morning. Every driver passing through the media cente > read more
Jeffrey Job-Killer
Published on 2011-01-22 09:02:33
I read this article in the New York Post yesterday about GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt, being tagged by President Obama to lead the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Hmm… interesting pick. I spent exactly ten years drawing a GE payc > read more
Hazards of 3D Television
Published on 2011-01-21 07:00:30
Major electronics manufacturers are betting the farm on 3D as the next big technology breakthrough for the future of television.  This despite study after study citing hazards such as severe eye strain, massive headaches, and queasiness to viewers. > read more
Flu Battles Rage On
Published on 2011-01-20 07:00:37
The battle lines have been drawn against flu and cold season, against sniffles and sneezes, stuffy nose and achy bones. The flu virus appears to be winning. I did something this year I almost never do. Â I got a flu shot. So as I have watched those a > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Jan 19, 2011
Published on 2011-01-19 07:00:14
We’ve all heard it said that ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ I’m not entirely sure that’s true in this case. Â One of the most imitated pieces of art is da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Check out this Las > read more
Brett Favre officially retires – again!
Published on 2011-01-18 07:00:41
I contemplated going down this path for a few minutes before putting together this post. More than one reporter has been embarrassed since 2007 with the headline: “Brett Favre Retiring from the NFL.” The guy has retired more times than J > read more
Psssssssst! Hey…. You wanna buy a vacuum cleaner?
Published on 2011-01-17 07:00:50
Several years ago Steve Martin had a comedy bit that went like this. “One night I got REALLY small, and climbed into a vacuum cleaner….” Â I wonder if it was one of these . In Wisconsin, a woman received a refurbished vacuum cleaner > read more
$#*! my Driver Says
Published on 2011-01-16 09:32:08
NASCAR Driver Scott Speed is not having anything go his way these days.  The Red Bull organization released him from his driving contract for the 2011 season.  It puts him in the situation of looking for a ride for next year with few opportunities > read more
Super Bowl
Published on 2011-01-15 07:00:17
No, not the super bowl coming up on February 6. I’m talking about the first Super Bowl played on this date in 1967, between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Nobody could have predicted what an event this game would become. Â Th > read more
Memorial or Pep Rally?
Published on 2011-01-14 07:00:31
I got up yesterday morning and watched President Obama’s speech at the Tucson memorial on Wednesday. There is no doubt our President is a great orator. His well-planned speech was powerful in its timely and upbeat message. Perhaps that’s > read more
The Floating City (Short Fiction)
Published on 2011-01-13 07:00:39
“And, three… two…. one,” the producer counted down to air time. Dan Allen looked into the camera and quickly went into face mode. He could talk and smile at the same time with the air of intellect pretty much unheard of in the > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Jan 12, 2011
Published on 2011-01-12 07:00:16
I came across a photo last week and the first thought was – This guy has got to be Weirdo of the Week. As the impact of the picture settled in, it occurred to me, this image represented the punch line of at least a dozen jokes I’ve heard > read more
Hot Chocolate on a Cold Night
Published on 2011-01-11 07:00:58
There are certain things in life, regardless of whether you live on Park Avenue or park bench, with the ability to instantly sooth the heartache of the moment. Some of these are the smile of a child, the warmth of a faithful dog lying by your fee > read more
Flashcards!
Published on 2011-01-10 09:02:03
Dig back – way back – to a time you were waist high to Miss So-and-so, and your favorite part of the day was recess. I’m talking about days of red-rover, dodge ball, and hop scotch. To give you an idea of how far I have to dig back, > read more
Every Picture Tells a Story
Published on 2011-01-09 10:11:43
Occasionally, I will pull out an old photo album, dig out a picture and tell you what it means to me. Maybe along the way you will learn something about the Prodigal Scribe that you didn’t know. Like this one for example. This picture was taken > read more
Topics
Published on 2011-01-08 09:42:49
After committing to a blog-a-day in 2011, it occurs to me that’s 365 posts. Â Fifty-two of those days are covered with my Weirdo Wednesday feature (next week’s weirdo is really weird.) Â The question remains what to do with the other 313 > read more
Border Trash
Published on 2011-01-07 09:40:15
Not to be confused with street trash, trailer trash, white trash or trash talk. I’m talking about our country’s largest landfill – the Arizona border. Imagine the difficulting of removing the estimated four million pounds of trash l > read more
Haunting Injustice Price Drop
Published on 2011-01-06 10:17:30
I know lots of you received eReaders for Christmas. I heard from some of you asking for an ePub version of the book so you can load it into your Kobo, Nook, Sony, or other reader not compatible with the Kindle version. I heard your pleas and rushed > read more
Weirdo Wednesday – Jan 5, 2011
Published on 2011-01-05 10:13:47
I didn’t have to look much past Spring Hill, Florida, to find my Wednesday Weirdo. James Jablon of Spring Hill moved into a lion’s den this past Saturday. This weirdo moved in with two African lions housed at his wildlife center, the Wild > read more
Haunting Injustice at “The Deepening”
Published on 2011-01-04 10:00:42
The Deepening world of fiction is devoted to fiction, its readers, its creators and authors. They have a real taste for the paranormal. The are highlighting my novel, Haunting Injustice, today. I am honored to be recognized by their excellent team of > read more
Post-a-Day 2011
Published on 2011-01-03 12:15:00
One of the challenges to posting daily is coming up with content that is fresh, entertaining, and at a minimum, informative. Taking the post-a-day challenge means that for 365 days I have to do exactly that. I’m going to knock out one-seventh > read more
The Prodigal Scribe – 2010 in review
Published on 2011-01-03 09:49:06
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health: The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow. Crunchy numbers A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passe > read more
Goose (short fiction)
Published on 2011-01-02 10:55:15
If quiet had a volume knob, the silence at breakfast was set to eleven. Goose lifted his head to say something to Dan, caught him staring into open space and asked, “Hey dude, where are you?” Dan looked up and replied, “I was thinki > read more
It’s only Rock & Roll and I like it!
Published on 2011-01-01 02:33:45
I’m a child of the sixties. I like classic rock, music born from the talent of artists, not commercial formulas. It’s sad to think that performers like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, or The Band, might not get a shot in the music business of th > read more