Back again with another roundup of interesting links. Unfortunately not as many items of interest as I would like. It's either because there isn't much of interest out there or that I am not spending as much time on line as I used to searching for stuff. It's probably more the latter as I continue to try to consciously avoid reading the news because it's depressing.
There's no doubt the coronavirus pandemic will be disruptive to many business sectors. I didn't realize that so many processes in the grocery industry were so manual until I ran across this article. I will say that I had first heard of and used Instacart several months ago as a way to save time. But I didn't realize what an essential part of life it would become.
The origins of baseball are a bit fuzzy and certainly debatable. For the record, Abner Doubleday definitely did not invent the game. However, it is clear that its popularity grew out of a need for exercise in light of pandemics in the late 19th century. By the way, this looks like it will be a fascinating book.
This week marked the 70th anniversary of Vin Scully's debut as the voice of the Dodgers. Here's a look back at the beginnings of his storied career.
An appreciation of Simon and Garfunkel. I used to listen to them a lot and need to go back and revisit their music.
A history of the iconic McDonalds Happy Meal. It's far more controversial than you might think.
Recommended historical non-fiction to read during the quarantine. I have only read the last two books on the list and thoroughly enjoyed both. Also, Erik Larson is one of my favorite authors. I've been looking forward to reading his latest book too.
Add Ikea to the list of companies that is publishing its popular recipes. Now if we could get the recipe for their cinnamon rolls....
Have a great weekend.
Friday, April 24, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Weekend Links 4-17-20
Congratulations on making it through another week. Here is a collection of items for your weekend enjoyment.
During Prohibition, breweries had to engage in other businesses in order to survive. For example, Pabst made cheese.
This seems somewhat ill-advised but I can see how current circumstances provide a unique opportunity. A Cannonball team set a new cross-country record. This story naturally makes me think of The Cannonball Run although I have always thought The Gumball Rally was the better film. This guide to the New York locations from The Gumball Rally is a lot of fun.
Folks are doing a lot more cooking these days and some places are sharing their recipes. For example, Disney has shared the recipe for their iconic Dole Whip treat sold in the theme parks. Meanwhile, Doubletree by Hilton has shared the recipe for their signature chocolate chip cookies.
Last weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 13 moon mission. How NASA turned what could have been its greatest failure into a triumph.
In every baseball box score you will see runs/hits/errors. Why those statistics used to define the game but don't any longer.
I really miss baseball. I agree with this columnist's thoughts.
Video of the week: why are ballparks all different dimensions? The answer might surprise you.
These are tough times for independent booksellers. However, thanks to Bookshop there is a way for them to sell their merchandise on line.
Some recommendations of classic detective novels to read while quarantined. Quite a few of my favorites made this list.
Lots of folks are baking while quarantined but are having trouble finding yeast. Here are a collection of yeast free recipes to try. Beer Bread has been a staple in our household for years. Also, here's an easy recipe to make your own bagels with just a few ingredients. My oldest daughter made these the other day and they were terrific.
What I am listening to: my current favorite podcast is the Shedunnit Show. Author Caroline Crampton discusses classic crime fiction as well as some of the real cases that inspired golden age fiction.
During Prohibition, breweries had to engage in other businesses in order to survive. For example, Pabst made cheese.
This seems somewhat ill-advised but I can see how current circumstances provide a unique opportunity. A Cannonball team set a new cross-country record. This story naturally makes me think of The Cannonball Run although I have always thought The Gumball Rally was the better film. This guide to the New York locations from The Gumball Rally is a lot of fun.
Folks are doing a lot more cooking these days and some places are sharing their recipes. For example, Disney has shared the recipe for their iconic Dole Whip treat sold in the theme parks. Meanwhile, Doubletree by Hilton has shared the recipe for their signature chocolate chip cookies.
Last weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 13 moon mission. How NASA turned what could have been its greatest failure into a triumph.
In every baseball box score you will see runs/hits/errors. Why those statistics used to define the game but don't any longer.
I really miss baseball. I agree with this columnist's thoughts.
Video of the week: why are ballparks all different dimensions? The answer might surprise you.
These are tough times for independent booksellers. However, thanks to Bookshop there is a way for them to sell their merchandise on line.
Some recommendations of classic detective novels to read while quarantined. Quite a few of my favorites made this list.
Lots of folks are baking while quarantined but are having trouble finding yeast. Here are a collection of yeast free recipes to try. Beer Bread has been a staple in our household for years. Also, here's an easy recipe to make your own bagels with just a few ingredients. My oldest daughter made these the other day and they were terrific.
What I am listening to: my current favorite podcast is the Shedunnit Show. Author Caroline Crampton discusses classic crime fiction as well as some of the real cases that inspired golden age fiction.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Weekend Links 4-10-20
Unfortunately this week's links are not as bountiful as previous weeks. I blame the pandemic dominating the news. Hope you enjoy this brief selection of links.
This is probably the most intriguing headline of the week: Do We Want to Go Back to Normal? Lots of interesting things to think about here and whether we want things to go back to the way they were before the pandemic started. I don't think there is any doubt that things will change dramatically in the coming months. Exactly what will change and to what extent remains to be seen.
Audible is making a number of audiobooks available for free right now.
Strange, but true: Ludwig Bemelmans, beloved author of Madeline, once shot a man.
In 1995, Major League Baseball was recovering from a work stoppage that caused the cancellation of the World Series the previous year. Fortunately they had Cal Ripken, Jr. who helped saved the sport.
The Washington Nationals won their first World Series last year. They came a long way from that inaugural season in the nation's capital.
Leave it Dave Barry to give us something to laugh about during these trying times.
Finally, this made me chuckle especially since I am spending a lot of my free time playing Animal Crossing:
This is probably the most intriguing headline of the week: Do We Want to Go Back to Normal? Lots of interesting things to think about here and whether we want things to go back to the way they were before the pandemic started. I don't think there is any doubt that things will change dramatically in the coming months. Exactly what will change and to what extent remains to be seen.
Audible is making a number of audiobooks available for free right now.
Strange, but true: Ludwig Bemelmans, beloved author of Madeline, once shot a man.
In 1995, Major League Baseball was recovering from a work stoppage that caused the cancellation of the World Series the previous year. Fortunately they had Cal Ripken, Jr. who helped saved the sport.
The Washington Nationals won their first World Series last year. They came a long way from that inaugural season in the nation's capital.
Leave it Dave Barry to give us something to laugh about during these trying times.
Finally, this made me chuckle especially since I am spending a lot of my free time playing Animal Crossing:
Well now. I've started this thing called #AnimalCrossing – I'm very much taken by the voices of hosts Timmy & Tommy, but am so far somewhat perplexed by the POINT of it all. Is it, in this sense, a metaphor for life itself? I hope not, for I may have pitched my tent ill-advisedly— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) April 4, 2020
Friday, April 03, 2020
Weekend Links 4-3-20
Happy Friday! Hopefully you are staying safe and hunkered down at home. Here's your assortment of links of interest for your weekend reading.
You can virtually ride Disneyland and Disney World rides from the comfort of your own couch.
If you are like me and thought that word games began with the invention of the crossword you would be wrong.
Due to the national shortage of hand sanitizer, many craft distilleries like this one in Massachusetts are stepping up production to help out.
Fashion inspiration from Ken Burns' Baseball. Incidentally, the series is free to stream from PBS right now.
How and why crime books (especially Penguins) embraced the color green.
These are tough times for bookstores but they can be saved.
I couldn't agree more: Animal Crossing is the perfect way to spend quarantine. Full disclosure: our entire family of four has been playing since the day the game released. We may or may not have bought our Switch solely to be able to play the game.
The true story of Thomas "Toad" Ramsey (yes, that really was his nickname) who invented both a cocktail and the knuckleball.
This is what happens when you are home with your kids with too much time on your hands.
Podcast of the week: Faithwire - Love in the time of Coronavirus. This is a very insightful podcast with Andy Crouch and Sarah Pulliam Bailey. A very interesting discussion about how things will change as a result of the pandemnic. Also helpful is this article which is referenced in the podcast that takes the view that this is only the beginning of a host of changes we are facing as a culture and that organizations would be well served to face the fact that changes are coming.
You can virtually ride Disneyland and Disney World rides from the comfort of your own couch.
If you are like me and thought that word games began with the invention of the crossword you would be wrong.
Due to the national shortage of hand sanitizer, many craft distilleries like this one in Massachusetts are stepping up production to help out.
Fashion inspiration from Ken Burns' Baseball. Incidentally, the series is free to stream from PBS right now.
How and why crime books (especially Penguins) embraced the color green.
These are tough times for bookstores but they can be saved.
I couldn't agree more: Animal Crossing is the perfect way to spend quarantine. Full disclosure: our entire family of four has been playing since the day the game released. We may or may not have bought our Switch solely to be able to play the game.
The true story of Thomas "Toad" Ramsey (yes, that really was his nickname) who invented both a cocktail and the knuckleball.
This is what happens when you are home with your kids with too much time on your hands.
This is fantastic.Been isolating at home with my wife & kids for a week now. For my contribution to home schooling my kids (aged 6 & 4) I chose the most obvious thing - creating a shot-by-shot recreation of the jet pack sequence from THUNDERBALL out of LEGO. [turn sound on] #JamesBond @LEGO_Group pic.twitter.com/s1ivrODq7s— Jon Opstad (@JonOpstad) March 27, 2020
Podcast of the week: Faithwire - Love in the time of Coronavirus. This is a very insightful podcast with Andy Crouch and Sarah Pulliam Bailey. A very interesting discussion about how things will change as a result of the pandemnic. Also helpful is this article which is referenced in the podcast that takes the view that this is only the beginning of a host of changes we are facing as a culture and that organizations would be well served to face the fact that changes are coming.
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