In 2019, I took the twins to Disney on Ice. They loved it and I was, to my surprise, very impressed. Not so much by the skating etc, but by the way they ran a tight, engaging show. I’m forever remarking the failure of adult-led activities for children to respect basic principles of entertainment. I …
Author Archives: Pete
The Overcoat
This summer I did the most Old Man thing I’ve ever done, yet: I got my overcoat relined. The lining had a few tears, and while I only wear the coat from home to the classroom and back, one must look smart for the day job. I took it to the local tailor, who quoted …
Artful Pause
I was in a band in college with these guys from the local art institute. One day the guitarist, for his own amusement, printed up stickers that forcefully expressed, in but four words, the sentiment that art was inferior to the purchase of tacos. I’m fine with either, although I hadn’t bought any art for …
To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before
A few years back I got around to The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman. I liked it but I swear, all I can remember is something about the Schlieffen Plan, and then the description of the German officer who spent his nights drinking wine and eating sausages. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother …
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Andy
“Johnny and Andy were completely obsessed with Spinal Tap,” he says, “and there were mini Stonehenges of cigarette packs left all over the studio… Andy had learned – by note – the bass line to Big Bottom! We only did that when Morrissey wasn’t in the room, though. Don’t worry.” The Smiths Producer Shares His …
Mis-Shaped
I wonder if Daniels’s appeal has something to do with the fact that many men, if asked to cast their lives without undue conceit, might settle on Jeff Daniels to play themselves. – Magic Hours, Tom Bissell In October of 1994, some friends and I drove up to Philadelphia to see Pulp and Blur at …
Batter Up
Twenty summers ago I made myself pancakes every day over vacation. I couldn’t get away with it now, but it was awesome and I kind of miss it. *** When the twins were little I’d make them pancakes (or, as Twin 2 called them, “panpakes”). This was less pleasant. Serving a brace of toddlers breakfast …
Me Again
La vieillesse est un naufrage. – Chuck D I’ve been busy! Working on this thing, and this other thing, and another thing too. Tell you more later. In the meantime spare a thought for my laptop, which winterlong faced this thing: Now then. I am not bad at shooting baskets. I wouldn’t say I’m …