Also, Son of Sam, David Berkowitz, was not originally a Jew. He was born to Italian-Americans and adopted by Jews. Why do I remember this? Because of how relieved I felt when I read about all those years ago (1977 was it? same summer as the great NY blackout). And so I would argue: you're right, Jews aren't generally known for their serial-killing, and yet he still carried a whiff of shanda for the Jews.
The Roger Maris article took down a rabbit hole to the Wikipedia article about the HBO movie 61*, about the race to beat Babe's record between Maris and Mantle. All this time I thought it was about Mark Maguire's steroid-enhanced home run streak. I didn't realize it referred to more games in the season so not comparing the cliched apples to apples (inside joke referring to a style invitational post). I don't have HBO so I never saw it, but now I'm inspired to if I can find it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/61*
If so, I hope you are well and happy. Discovered you (and Gene and Dave and Tom and Joel and many other vices) in the late '80s, early '90s Miamuh, when I tried to retire the first time.
Gene, your comment about taking a clock apart at a child brought back memories of doing the same thing. I think I was a little older than eleven but not much. (BTW, I am about the same age as you.) I always loved taking things apart to see how they worked. I still do. I remember my mother coming home and finding me on the living room floor with the pieces of her alarm clock around me on a towel on the living room floor. She got angry because I am pretty sure we did not have the money to buy another clock. I assured her that I would put it back together. AND I did.
Regarding trigger warnings: I have a bit of a reputation of being an insensitive person. My family ribs me about it. Those "360" surveys of employees have told me that I come off as insensitive. Not much really rattles me. No surprise then that when I first heard about trigger warnings, I thought it was a laughable concept.
But I have also learned that it's not up to me to determine how somebody else should feel. If it costs me nothing to accommodate somebody else's sensitivities, then I just do it and try not to judge.
The Gene Pool reminded me of how much I've enjoyed your columns and after re-reading so many, I've been devouring your book "One Day" and realizing I'm gonna have to buy all the other books. One of the sheer joys of reading each story in "One Day" is discovering the surprises that each piece reveals--often totally unexpected...so trigger warnings would spoil those surprises and my enjoyment, marveling at each twist and turn the stories take. I actually sent you a FB message saying some of this before reading your posting today, but I suspect you may not be keeping up with your messages there.
Gene is an atheist so when he says something is unarguable because of science, I say bravo, I agree with your contention. When someone who believes there is some magic, invisible guy in the sky and who also makes the science argument on, say, vaccines, I think that guy is picking and choosing. Likewise, if someone who is religious claims that the ineffectiveness of vaccines has been proven to their satisfaction, I think that, at least, they’re being consistent.
Who sells broken clocks ? Do neighbors regularly see your hindquarters over the edge of local dumpsters or you nonchalantly rummaging through their trash ? Perhaps you casually knock them over when visiting and volunteer to repair them ? I was going to say "second hand" stores but thought better of it.
At some point both you and Pat might like to weigh in on using full frontal curse or swear words as opposed to their usually every bit as understood pale asterisked imitators. Not talking about slurs, of course, but your good old garden variety f**k and do*-doo. Which raises the question of style (at least for me). Must you use only the exact number of asterisks as the letters you're replacing ? Or can you "asterisk" to your heart's content ? An enquiring mind wants to know.
I think using hyphens and asterisks is really silly in publications not aimed at children. And right, slurs just shouldn't be used. You might want to submit this as a question for next time, since we're after hours here.
The John Prine interview was most interesting! Loved the way it was written. As to the balloon, a urine bag would never occur to me, but all these years I've assumed the balloon referred to his last fix. It seemed obvious to me, yet I was wrong.
For online journalism it seems to me you could have an unobtrusive link that we would all learn will give us any warnings. Everyone else could breeze by.
Trigger warnings: Your story about chained dogs didn't need a trigger warning added. You already had when with the subtitle: "Why are so many people so cruel to their dogs? My search to understand a hidden scourge." That was enough for me to keep me from reading the article. And the link today has a photo of a chained dog which told me the whole story in a photo as that practice has always disturbed me and it's not just chained dogs but dogs that are never walked or kept in cages which have the euphemistic term "kennels."
The story about the guy on the plane in Miami reminded me of a somewhat politically incorrect joke I will share with you (only if you’re interested; you have been given a trigger warning) at a future Losers event.
Also, John Prine’s line “There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes / Jesus Christ died for nothin’, I suppose …” doesn’t make sense to me. So, there shouldn’t be ANY pain or misery in the world?
Too bad you hate jigsaw puzzles, because this would be perfect for you.
https://www.unitiger.co/products/pooping-dog-jigsaw-puzzle-1000-piece
Also, Son of Sam, David Berkowitz, was not originally a Jew. He was born to Italian-Americans and adopted by Jews. Why do I remember this? Because of how relieved I felt when I read about all those years ago (1977 was it? same summer as the great NY blackout). And so I would argue: you're right, Jews aren't generally known for their serial-killing, and yet he still carried a whiff of shanda for the Jews.
The Roger Maris article took down a rabbit hole to the Wikipedia article about the HBO movie 61*, about the race to beat Babe's record between Maris and Mantle. All this time I thought it was about Mark Maguire's steroid-enhanced home run streak. I didn't realize it referred to more games in the season so not comparing the cliched apples to apples (inside joke referring to a style invitational post). I don't have HBO so I never saw it, but now I'm inspired to if I can find it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/61*
$2.99 to rent, over 2 hours. Click "other rental options" choose SD (standard definition). next on my watch list. https://www.amazon.com/61-Thomas-Jane/dp/B07HXW4R44/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1ISSCZ4JDZ0S3&keywords=61*&qid=1675881004&sprefix=61+%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-3
Media "is?" Media "has?" Tsk tsk. You should be forced to eat cilantro as punishment.
Miami Herald Elinor Brecher?!?!
If so, I hope you are well and happy. Discovered you (and Gene and Dave and Tom and Joel and many other vices) in the late '80s, early '90s Miamuh, when I tried to retire the first time.
Best wishes!
Yep- that's moi! Happily retired in Tucson.
Gene, your comment about taking a clock apart at a child brought back memories of doing the same thing. I think I was a little older than eleven but not much. (BTW, I am about the same age as you.) I always loved taking things apart to see how they worked. I still do. I remember my mother coming home and finding me on the living room floor with the pieces of her alarm clock around me on a towel on the living room floor. She got angry because I am pretty sure we did not have the money to buy another clock. I assured her that I would put it back together. AND I did.
When my sister was small, she took something apart (I can't remember what).
Our mother saw this and said, "Put it back together again."
And she did.
Regarding trigger warnings: I have a bit of a reputation of being an insensitive person. My family ribs me about it. Those "360" surveys of employees have told me that I come off as insensitive. Not much really rattles me. No surprise then that when I first heard about trigger warnings, I thought it was a laughable concept.
But I have also learned that it's not up to me to determine how somebody else should feel. If it costs me nothing to accommodate somebody else's sensitivities, then I just do it and try not to judge.
So, you railed against both siderism and politicizing settled issues by... using both siderism?
"Liberals kinda bought into Communism because it seemed … fair and equitable. Liberals are not doing wonders with collegiate groupspeak."
The Gene Pool reminded me of how much I've enjoyed your columns and after re-reading so many, I've been devouring your book "One Day" and realizing I'm gonna have to buy all the other books. One of the sheer joys of reading each story in "One Day" is discovering the surprises that each piece reveals--often totally unexpected...so trigger warnings would spoil those surprises and my enjoyment, marveling at each twist and turn the stories take. I actually sent you a FB message saying some of this before reading your posting today, but I suspect you may not be keeping up with your messages there.
Gene is an atheist so when he says something is unarguable because of science, I say bravo, I agree with your contention. When someone who believes there is some magic, invisible guy in the sky and who also makes the science argument on, say, vaccines, I think that guy is picking and choosing. Likewise, if someone who is religious claims that the ineffectiveness of vaccines has been proven to their satisfaction, I think that, at least, they’re being consistent.
Who sells broken clocks ? Do neighbors regularly see your hindquarters over the edge of local dumpsters or you nonchalantly rummaging through their trash ? Perhaps you casually knock them over when visiting and volunteer to repair them ? I was going to say "second hand" stores but thought better of it.
At some point both you and Pat might like to weigh in on using full frontal curse or swear words as opposed to their usually every bit as understood pale asterisked imitators. Not talking about slurs, of course, but your good old garden variety f**k and do*-doo. Which raises the question of style (at least for me). Must you use only the exact number of asterisks as the letters you're replacing ? Or can you "asterisk" to your heart's content ? An enquiring mind wants to know.
I think using hyphens and asterisks is really silly in publications not aimed at children. And right, slurs just shouldn't be used. You might want to submit this as a question for next time, since we're after hours here.
Also I am—very gratefully—not an expert on suicidal Ideation, but wouldn’t just saying it is in the article send your mind that way?
The John Prine interview was most interesting! Loved the way it was written. As to the balloon, a urine bag would never occur to me, but all these years I've assumed the balloon referred to his last fix. It seemed obvious to me, yet I was wrong.
For online journalism it seems to me you could have an unobtrusive link that we would all learn will give us any warnings. Everyone else could breeze by.
Trigger warnings: Your story about chained dogs didn't need a trigger warning added. You already had when with the subtitle: "Why are so many people so cruel to their dogs? My search to understand a hidden scourge." That was enough for me to keep me from reading the article. And the link today has a photo of a chained dog which told me the whole story in a photo as that practice has always disturbed me and it's not just chained dogs but dogs that are never walked or kept in cages which have the euphemistic term "kennels."
Thank you--exactly.
The story about the guy on the plane in Miami reminded me of a somewhat politically incorrect joke I will share with you (only if you’re interested; you have been given a trigger warning) at a future Losers event.
Also, John Prine’s line “There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes / Jesus Christ died for nothin’, I suppose …” doesn’t make sense to me. So, there shouldn’t be ANY pain or misery in the world?