Hard to believe we have already reached the first of May. This year certainly has flown by. Here are a few things of interest I found this week.
What do Alfred Hitchcock and Quentin Tarantino have in common? For one thing, they could have both directed James Bond films. Here's the story of films from the long-running franchise that didn't get made. If you're new to the franchise and not sure where to begin these seven films are a good place to start.
The story of the enduring appeal of Scooby-Doo. We just introduced this series to our daughters not long ago and they immediately became fans.
Kansas City is famous for its barbecue. Now it has a vending machine to provide your late night barbecue fix.
The Ironbridge Bookshop is one my favorite book stores. Even though I have never visited I have spoken to the owner, Meg Prince, a number of times. She's helped me expand my Penguin collection which you can see on my Instagram feed. Meg's story is an interesting one as she became a bookseller as a teenager and has been working hard to make her shop a success. She's also a delight to work with.
While we are in the midst of the coronavirus crisis it may seem like all the answers are obvious. The truth is that they aren't. .That pretty much applies anytime we are in the fog of a crisis.
Aficionados of yard sales will tell you the fun is in the unexpected things that you will find while shopping. It's safe to say that these shoppers had no idea they would find these items while perusing yard sales.
Fake news is a commonly used term these days. However, the idea of reporters sometimes fabricating stories is not new. Here's the true tale of one false newspaper report that nearly derailed one of the most infamous murder cases in American history.
Steve Dalkowski, who passed away last week, was known in baseball circles as the hardest thrower to ever pitch. He was even the inspiration for Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham. Despite the fact he never pitched in the major leagues (he blew out his pitching arm while in the minor leagues) he was still known by many to be a pitcher like no other. The problem is the lack of documentary evidence besides those who actually saw him pitch. But if you listen to the eyewitnesses it's hard to dispute that he truly was the fastest pitcher ever.
Showing posts with label James Bond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Bond. Show all posts
Friday, May 01, 2020
Friday, February 28, 2020
Weekend Links 2-28-20
Scouring the internet for the most interesting articles for your weekend reading.....
A detailed look at the cars that will appear in the upcoming James Bond film No Time To Die. Probably what's more interesting is the history of Aston Martin's relationship with Eon Productions. I am surprised it does not involve any long term contracts.
Here's a review of Billie Eilish's theme song for No Time To Die (link to the song in the article). I've had a chance to listen to it a couple of times and have a feeling it's going to extend the Bond film Original Song Oscars streak next year. The song has already hit #1 in the UK.
On my bucket list: a visit to Louis Armstrong's home in Queens. I am amazed that it has been preserved and turned into a museum.
When fiction imitates truth: famous noirs and crime novels based on real-life crimes.
There are no doubt many reasons why Crash Landing on You has been such a hit among Korean drama fans. Perhaps one reason is that they had an actual North Korean defector on the writing staff.
Ever wonder why daylight savings time starts at 2 a.m.?
In 1778, future president John Adams was appointed ambassador to France. He barely survived his transatlantic voyage. The story is not well known but Adams documented it in his own memoirs.
This is fun: I went to Hogwart's for 7 years and now I can't get a job.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice: the U.S. Hockey team's upset win over the USSR in the Winter Olympics. Al Michaels who was on the microphone for the game reveals he got the assignment because of his experience calling hockey: exactly one game. Here's his iconic call:
The day the Atlanta Braves signed Satchel Paige to a contract so he would qualify for an MLB pension.
Elizabethan poet laureate Ben Jonson was a murderer. What's more remarkable is how he escaped punishment.
A detailed look at the cars that will appear in the upcoming James Bond film No Time To Die. Probably what's more interesting is the history of Aston Martin's relationship with Eon Productions. I am surprised it does not involve any long term contracts.
Here's a review of Billie Eilish's theme song for No Time To Die (link to the song in the article). I've had a chance to listen to it a couple of times and have a feeling it's going to extend the Bond film Original Song Oscars streak next year. The song has already hit #1 in the UK.
On my bucket list: a visit to Louis Armstrong's home in Queens. I am amazed that it has been preserved and turned into a museum.
When fiction imitates truth: famous noirs and crime novels based on real-life crimes.
There are no doubt many reasons why Crash Landing on You has been such a hit among Korean drama fans. Perhaps one reason is that they had an actual North Korean defector on the writing staff.
Ever wonder why daylight savings time starts at 2 a.m.?
In 1778, future president John Adams was appointed ambassador to France. He barely survived his transatlantic voyage. The story is not well known but Adams documented it in his own memoirs.
This is fun: I went to Hogwart's for 7 years and now I can't get a job.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice: the U.S. Hockey team's upset win over the USSR in the Winter Olympics. Al Michaels who was on the microphone for the game reveals he got the assignment because of his experience calling hockey: exactly one game. Here's his iconic call:
Related: The men who missed out on the Miracle on Ice and how Hollywood got their story wrong.#OTD 1980 A game that will never be forgotten,Al Michaels Classic Call,at the end of the Unbelievable USA vs USSR Upset at the 1980 Olympics.#USA #Olympics #LakePlacid #Hockey #1980s #MiracleonIce— Tom's Old Days (@sigg20) February 22, 2020
pic.twitter.com/Za02Pje9Wa
The day the Atlanta Braves signed Satchel Paige to a contract so he would qualify for an MLB pension.
Elizabethan poet laureate Ben Jonson was a murderer. What's more remarkable is how he escaped punishment.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Weekend Links 2-14-20
Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you have a wonderful weekend planned with your special someone. Here's a roundup of this week's interesting links:
Advances in technology have been bad for work life balance. Turns out the laptop is the culprit.
The pictures tell the story: Architect spends 45 years converting a cement factory into a fairy tale home.
I endorse this list: 10 movies that will make any child into a lover of classic suspense.
Here are some neat ways to unlock the power of Alexa.. Plus a list of the best Alexa Easter Eggs.
Sadly legalism is alive and well.
Long read of the week: How Ian Fleming was the darling of critics until he wasn't. For what it's worth I have read all of Fleming's James Bond novels and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Last week astronaut Christina Koch set a record for a woman in space. But what she learned during the mission is more interesting.
The remarkable true story of Dutch sisters that were a key part of the Resistance during World War II.
Advances in technology have been bad for work life balance. Turns out the laptop is the culprit.
The pictures tell the story: Architect spends 45 years converting a cement factory into a fairy tale home.
I endorse this list: 10 movies that will make any child into a lover of classic suspense.
Here are some neat ways to unlock the power of Alexa.. Plus a list of the best Alexa Easter Eggs.
Sadly legalism is alive and well.
Long read of the week: How Ian Fleming was the darling of critics until he wasn't. For what it's worth I have read all of Fleming's James Bond novels and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Last week astronaut Christina Koch set a record for a woman in space. But what she learned during the mission is more interesting.
The remarkable true story of Dutch sisters that were a key part of the Resistance during World War II.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Weekend Links 1-24-20
A plethora of links for your weekend reading:
Meet the stewards of the James Bond film franchise: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. With Daniel Craig due to retire from the role following No Time To Die this spring, the producers will be looking for a new actor to take on the role. My suggestion would be to hire Anthony Horowitz to adapt his own Bond novel for the next film. It's an origin story of sorts and would work well as a screenplay especially since they will have to cast a new Bond anyway. Related: Daniel Craig pokes a little fun at his cinematic alter ego:
DeWolf Hopper made a name for himself on the vaudeville stage with his dramatic recitations of Ernest Thayer's poem Casey At The Bat. But it turns out that Hopper was quite the baseball fan.
Sometimes a seemingly small decision can pay big dividends: how a single mail order ad transformed a family owned business into a billion dollar enterprise.
Strange but true: Sesame Street was once banned in Mississippi.
A fascinating deep dive into the world of ghostwriting. It's a problem for readers when they don't know if the person whose name is on the cover is actually the one who wrote the book. It's a bigger problem than you might imagine.
Last year for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the NASA History office tweeted out the mission in real time. This year for the 40th anniversary of Apollo 13 they are going to have the mission audio available in real time on their website.
Trivia buffs rejoice! Some fans have created the Jeopardy! question database featuring almost every answer (and question) contained in the last 36 seasons of the show.
Dr. Howard Conyers is on a mission to preserve the tradition of the whole hog barbecue. He also happens to be a rocket scientist.
Before there was Photoshop, the Soviets had mastered the method for removing people from photographs.
At one ski resort in Sweden after a day on the slopes you can ski right into McDonalds for a quick bite.
Meet the stewards of the James Bond film franchise: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. With Daniel Craig due to retire from the role following No Time To Die this spring, the producers will be looking for a new actor to take on the role. My suggestion would be to hire Anthony Horowitz to adapt his own Bond novel for the next film. It's an origin story of sorts and would work well as a screenplay especially since they will have to cast a new Bond anyway. Related: Daniel Craig pokes a little fun at his cinematic alter ego:
DeWolf Hopper made a name for himself on the vaudeville stage with his dramatic recitations of Ernest Thayer's poem Casey At The Bat. But it turns out that Hopper was quite the baseball fan.
Sometimes a seemingly small decision can pay big dividends: how a single mail order ad transformed a family owned business into a billion dollar enterprise.
Strange but true: Sesame Street was once banned in Mississippi.
A fascinating deep dive into the world of ghostwriting. It's a problem for readers when they don't know if the person whose name is on the cover is actually the one who wrote the book. It's a bigger problem than you might imagine.
Last year for the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the NASA History office tweeted out the mission in real time. This year for the 40th anniversary of Apollo 13 they are going to have the mission audio available in real time on their website.
Trivia buffs rejoice! Some fans have created the Jeopardy! question database featuring almost every answer (and question) contained in the last 36 seasons of the show.
Dr. Howard Conyers is on a mission to preserve the tradition of the whole hog barbecue. He also happens to be a rocket scientist.
Before there was Photoshop, the Soviets had mastered the method for removing people from photographs.
At one ski resort in Sweden after a day on the slopes you can ski right into McDonalds for a quick bite.
Friday, January 17, 2020
Weekend Links 1-17-2020
While you are waiting for me to get my act together and write some original stuff here are a few items of interest I ran across this week:
I am a traditionalist when it comes to the designated hitter rule in baseball. I am strongly opposed to it. If I were commissioner I would abolish it in an instant. However, I understand with the entrenchment of the DH in the American League it's only a matter of time before the National League adopts it. This proposal from Jayson Stark (subscription required) might be the best proposal yet:
There's lots more bold predictions about how baseball will change in next decade that are worth reading. Incidentally, I find The Athletic to be an outstanding source of sportswriting. It's well worth the cost of the subscription.
Also at The Athletic, Molly Knight follows up on the sign stealing story from last weekend's post. Her solution is to abolish instant replay. (language warning) Emma Baccellieri adds her own thoughts. While I believe it's important to get calls right the whole system has done more harm than good.
I had no idea that Charles Schulz once worked as an art instructor. This is fun:
When No Time To Die premieres in April, it will mark Daniel Craig's last appearance as James Bond. Here are 10 things that his Bond did differently that the franchise should keep. Related: the recipe for James Bond's Vesper martini.
Solving life's important mysteries: why button down shirts have loops on the back.
An interesting observation:
If I had the money and the shelf space I would definitely buy this collector's edition of P. G. Wodehouse novels. The cover designs are fantastic. I managed to find The Code of the Woosters in this edition but haven't been able to locate any others yet. (Hat tip: Light On Dark Water)I am a traditionalist when it comes to the designated hitter rule in baseball. I am strongly opposed to it. If I were commissioner I would abolish it in an instant. However, I understand with the entrenchment of the DH in the American League it's only a matter of time before the National League adopts it. This proposal from Jayson Stark (subscription required) might be the best proposal yet:
Did you know the designated-hitter rule has been around in the American League for nearly 50 seasons now? So apparently, this isn’t going to be a short-term fad. In fact, it’s hard to find anyone in the game who doesn’t believe that one of these years — possibly as soon as 2022, once the new labor deal is done — every team will be writing a DH into its lineup.
But wait! Here’s one possible wrinkle that has been kicked around in behind-the-scene brainstorming sessions: How about a rule that would allow teams to use their DH only as long as their starting pitcher remained in the game? Then, once the starting pitcher exited, that game would revert to old-school rules. The more we think about this idea, the more we like it. Starting pitchers would no longer hit, which would eliminate some teams’ injury paranoia. It would create incentives to keep starters in the game longer, which could lead to more offense. And it would preserve some elements of late-inning managerial strategy that fans of “NL rules” still love.
OK, so this part of the plan might never happen. But it’s at least worth having a long conversation about – even if it’s just a segment on “MLB Now.”
There's lots more bold predictions about how baseball will change in next decade that are worth reading. Incidentally, I find The Athletic to be an outstanding source of sportswriting. It's well worth the cost of the subscription.
Also at The Athletic, Molly Knight follows up on the sign stealing story from last weekend's post. Her solution is to abolish instant replay. (language warning) Emma Baccellieri adds her own thoughts. While I believe it's important to get calls right the whole system has done more harm than good.
I had no idea that Charles Schulz once worked as an art instructor. This is fun:
An instructor for the mail-away Art Instruction Schools in the late 1940s, Charles Schulz reminisced, “Those were days filled with hilarity...[We'd] receive drawings of thumbs, and...realized...a student had misunderstood the expression ‘making a thumbnail sketch.’" [📸 c.1949]. pic.twitter.com/u6eo3rZPPd— Charles M. Schulz Museum (@SchulzMuseum) January 14, 2020
When No Time To Die premieres in April, it will mark Daniel Craig's last appearance as James Bond. Here are 10 things that his Bond did differently that the franchise should keep. Related: the recipe for James Bond's Vesper martini.
Solving life's important mysteries: why button down shirts have loops on the back.
An interesting observation:
Observation:— Jonathan Leeman (@JonathanLeeman) January 10, 2020
We tend to be political REALISTS with our FAVORED party or candidate (overlooking flaws, acknowledging the inevitably of compromise etc) and political IDEALISTS with our DISFAVORED party or candidate (condemning them on principle; noting inconsistencies etc).
On a related note, how seriously should we take Wodehouse? (Hat tip: Honoria Plum)
Taking control of your time will make you happier.
This looks like fun: a supper club in a decommissioned London Tube carriage.
Finally, there is this:
Friday, April 25, 2014
Daily Links 4-25-14
Back just in time for the weekend with a huge roundup of links. In today's edition: lots of baseball-related links (naturally), how to make perfect hard boiled eggs, the house that Bond built, was Colonel Sanders a real colonel, and more.
************
It's been a week of baseball anniversaries. First (and most importantly), Wrigley Field marked its 100th anniversary this week. Although I've been fortunate enough to attend games at such wonderful parks as Fenway Park and Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Wrigley Field is still my hands down favorite. Here's the incomparable Vin Scully on what makes Wrigley such a special place.
************
Meanwhile, Wednesday also marked another anniversary: the 50th anniversary of the only pitcher to hurl a no-hitter and lose.
************
Speaking of anniversaries, it is the 25th anniversary of Field of Dreams. Here's a fun list of 12 things you probably didn't know about the film (including who was really supposed to star in the movie instead of Kevin Costner). Tip of the cap to Neatorama for the link. Appropriately enough, the anniversary will be marked with a celebration on Father's Day.
************
Two New York booksellers claim they bought William Shakespeare's dictionary on Ebay. You can decide for yourself whether to believe them. (Hat tip: Book Riot)
************
How do you make perfect hard boiled eggs? Alton Brown has a suggestion: bake them in the oven instead of boiling them.
************
On Tuesday, Albert Pujols hit home runs number 499 and 500 of his career. That is by itself a remarkable achievement. But as Jayson Stark points out, there's a lot more to appreciate about Pujols than his home runs.
************
Answering the important questions: Was Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders a real colonel? It's a fascinating profile of a true American success story.
************
The house that Bond built: a profile of Ian Fleming's Jamaican estate Goldeneye. Interestingly enough it has now been converted into a hotel.
************
This season Major League Baseball adopted expanded instant replay. Needless to say it has not gone as well as officials thought it would. I have never been a supporter of instant replay and the difficulties that have been experienced thus far have only reinforced my view that it was a mistake.
************
It's been a week of baseball anniversaries. First (and most importantly), Wrigley Field marked its 100th anniversary this week. Although I've been fortunate enough to attend games at such wonderful parks as Fenway Park and Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Wrigley Field is still my hands down favorite. Here's the incomparable Vin Scully on what makes Wrigley such a special place.
************
Meanwhile, Wednesday also marked another anniversary: the 50th anniversary of the only pitcher to hurl a no-hitter and lose.
************
Speaking of anniversaries, it is the 25th anniversary of Field of Dreams. Here's a fun list of 12 things you probably didn't know about the film (including who was really supposed to star in the movie instead of Kevin Costner). Tip of the cap to Neatorama for the link. Appropriately enough, the anniversary will be marked with a celebration on Father's Day.
************
Two New York booksellers claim they bought William Shakespeare's dictionary on Ebay. You can decide for yourself whether to believe them. (Hat tip: Book Riot)
************
How do you make perfect hard boiled eggs? Alton Brown has a suggestion: bake them in the oven instead of boiling them.
************
On Tuesday, Albert Pujols hit home runs number 499 and 500 of his career. That is by itself a remarkable achievement. But as Jayson Stark points out, there's a lot more to appreciate about Pujols than his home runs.
************
Answering the important questions: Was Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders a real colonel? It's a fascinating profile of a true American success story.
************
The house that Bond built: a profile of Ian Fleming's Jamaican estate Goldeneye. Interestingly enough it has now been converted into a hotel.
************
This season Major League Baseball adopted expanded instant replay. Needless to say it has not gone as well as officials thought it would. I have never been a supporter of instant replay and the difficulties that have been experienced thus far have only reinforced my view that it was a mistake.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Friday Tweet Roundup 8-16-13
It's Friday and time for another roundup of links of interest that I tweeted about this week. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for the latest.
26 problems only introverts would understand. Yes, this post speaks to me.
Some good tips on writing and speaking for introverts.
Who knew that churches had spies? They found out some interesting things in looking over churches.
Seven expectations of every church member. If more churches set these expectations of their members they would be a lot healthier.
How the temperance movement almost killed root beer.
Lou Gehrig was called the Pride of the Yankees. By contrast Alex Rodriguez can be called the Disgrace of the Yankees.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice marks its 200th anniversary. Austen addiction is alive and well.
Film and fashion collide: The suits of James Bond.
Today marks the beginning of a Michigan man's quest to visit all 30 major league parks in 30 days to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma research. His website is here if you want to support him.
Disney songwriting legends Richard Sherman and Alan Menken reflect on their careers.
Here's a great list of books to read with your child before they are 12 years old.
Did you hear the one about the time a cat was sent through pneumatic tubes? It's a true story
Then there were the time(s) Disney animators plagiarized themselves.
Attention Whovians: you can use Google Maps to view inside the TARDIS.
One thing you never, ever do is run on Yasiel Puig. This throw is insane. What's more amazing is the play at third isn't even close.
That's it. Have a great weekend.
26 problems only introverts would understand. Yes, this post speaks to me.
Some good tips on writing and speaking for introverts.
Who knew that churches had spies? They found out some interesting things in looking over churches.
Seven expectations of every church member. If more churches set these expectations of their members they would be a lot healthier.
How the temperance movement almost killed root beer.
Lou Gehrig was called the Pride of the Yankees. By contrast Alex Rodriguez can be called the Disgrace of the Yankees.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice marks its 200th anniversary. Austen addiction is alive and well.
Film and fashion collide: The suits of James Bond.
Today marks the beginning of a Michigan man's quest to visit all 30 major league parks in 30 days to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma research. His website is here if you want to support him.
Disney songwriting legends Richard Sherman and Alan Menken reflect on their careers.
Here's a great list of books to read with your child before they are 12 years old.
Did you hear the one about the time a cat was sent through pneumatic tubes? It's a true story
Then there were the time(s) Disney animators plagiarized themselves.
Attention Whovians: you can use Google Maps to view inside the TARDIS.
One thing you never, ever do is run on Yasiel Puig. This throw is insane. What's more amazing is the play at third isn't even close.
That's it. Have a great weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)