Now, if you’ll excuse me…
Category: Et Cetera
-
So we closed our eyes and said goodbye
I remember the first time I saw Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band vividly. I was late to the party. Springsteen’s music — still one of my earliest childhood memories — had been thrilling fans for decades before I finally saddled up to what is probably the greatest live show in the business (for my money — money I’ve spent six times since, once in London). But I actually took something pretty specific away from that night.The lights dimmed and then it hit: a long, slow, nuanced saxophone build-up to “The River.” It was beautiful. It was haunting. It was emotional, tender and, above all, spiritual. The very same show solidified for me what is still my favorite Springsteen track — “Spirit in the Night,” from his debut album, “Greetings from Asbury Park” — and that can be attributed in a big way to to the frolicking saxophone that dances through the story of that song. And now, the voice, the breath, the man behind that instrument has been taken from us.
-
Greatest. Marriage. Proposal. Ever.
This bit of hopeless romanticism ought to be enough to douse the controversial flames today, if just for a moment:
-
5…4…3…2…1…
In a short time we’ll be saying goodbye to 2010. Some areas of the world have already done so. It’s a year that still doesn’t make a lot of sense in my head (both personally and professionally), and I’m sure I’ll settle on what it’s meant to me some day. But I will say I’m happy to move forward.Personally, at the end of December, I nearly lost my third grandparent in as many years, but she’s in the hospital fighting off the dying light as I type. I also wrapped up the first year of what will be a very long engagement for my fiancee and me. It’s been a journey of learning and love so far.
Professionally, In Contention is more successful than ever, and I know full well who I owe for that: you, the readers, and my scrappy team of contributors. After kicking the tires last year on what will hopefully come next, I made healthy strides toward those ends in 2010 and hope to inch closer to the dream in 2011. But for now, this is my place and I’m happy to see us forging ahead, strong as ever.
-
Danke
Just a note to echo my thanks to everyone for making this place what it is. I had hoped to get around to that Menken piece but tomorrow or the weekend is looking more likely. The Lions on the tube, the bird in the oven, friends on the way, plenty to keep me busy. So, thanks again, and consider this an open thread.
-
Predictions of a different stripe
Alright, it’s Friday night, the news day is winding down, McNabb is about to take the field for the first time in crimson and gold and you all know I’m a pigskin fanatic (as are plenty of you), so I figured it was worth it to offer up this. You?
-
Seems appropriate
Well, not really. But it’s a better song than The Beautiful South’s “Rotterdam Or Anywhere.”
Hup Holland Hup, and all that. I’m off to my friendly local beer garden. How are you celebrating World Cup Final Day?
-
Happy Thanksgiving
It’s that time of year.I’ve got about a dozen heads coming over for a Thanksgiving feast. Parade. Football. Screeners (a LOT of ’em). A full day of cheer. But I’d like to, of course, take a moment to hand out my thank yous.
At the top of that list are my fellow contributors here at In Contention; Guy, Gerard, Chad, John, you help me keep the ship afloat. It’s a different place without you.
Ditto the readership. Each of you keeps things lively and in motion. Without that we’re just crying out in a void.
I’m thankful for those I deal with professionally on a daily basis. Sometimes we butt heads, other times we serve separate, diametrically opposed masters, but I’d like to think we maintain our humanity, if sometimes not our sanity. And I’m happy to call many of you my friends.
Thanks, of course, to my family, who indulged the movie bug in me way back when. And to my lady, April, for the consistent patience you seem to pull out of your hat day in and day out. I’m a handful.
Thank you. And Happy Thanksgiving. The floor is yours today.
-
Happy birthday, Kris
On this day in 1981, Terry Gilliam’s “Time Bandits” topped the U.S. box office for the second week running, Hall & Oates had the number-one song in America, and one Mr. Kristopher Tapley entered the world.
Kris is in San Francisco, hopefully nursing a celebratory hangover and perhaps preparing for another. I thought of posting his birthday Billboard #1 as musical accompaniment, but no one needs to hear “Private Eyes” again. So we’ll fast-forward to a Boss track more suitable for someone at the ripe old age of 28. Have a good one, sir.
-
Idle trivia for a Saturday morning
Henry Fonda. Alan Arkin. Jack Palance. And, strictly hypothetically, Jeff Bridges.
What am I listing here? Bragging rights and an imaginary cookie for the first correct answer.
-
Can you hear me now?
I’m hearing there may be some issues reading the home page of the site. It’s showing up fine on my end in Safari and Firefox. Could be an issue with the new ads. Let me know.
