Welcome to a Chronicle of Culture
Posted in Books, Life During Wartime, Music, Politics, Sports, Technology, Visual arts on Sep 5th, 2010
I read The Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to: Sept. 5
This morning’s coffee is from the island of Java. I’ve loaded the five-CD changer with all John Coltrane.
1, Page One at a glance: Democrats are calculating which of their candidates are hopeless causes in the November election and will [...]
I read the Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to: July 11
First music of the day: Canadian jazz pianist Francois Bourassa. It will be a good afternoon on the deck. Chicken quarters are marinating in a local strawberry-balsamic vinegar purchased Saturday at the Rochester Public Market. They’ll be joined by wings, and later, [...]
Posted in Cuisine, Philosophy, Politics, Science, Sports, Travel, Visual arts on Jun 27th, 2010
I read The Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to: June 27
I’m back to reading The Sunday Times for you, after a two-week absence that I’m blaming on barbecue and jazz. This morning, Miles Davis’ Miles in the Sky is drifting out the deck speakers, chicken thigh quarters are marinating in a Mexican [...]
Posted in Books, Cuisine, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Sports, Visual arts on Jun 6th, 2010
I read The Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to: June 6
Nine days without a blog. Sorry! I’ve been busy. The barbecue team, The Smokin’ Dopes, stunned the Memorial Day competition here with a first-place finish (more on that in a day or two). Bob Dylan’s 69th birthday was noted with a deranged [...]
Posted in Life During Wartime, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Sports, Visual arts on May 23rd, 2010
I read the Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to: May 23
First music of the day: The Allman Brothers Band’s Eat a Peach, because it was in the CD player from last night. Two big pork shoulders are already in the smoker, to be joined by a rack or two of ribs as [...]
Posted in Books, Cuisine, Politics, Sports, Travel, Visual arts on May 9th, 2010
I read The Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to: April 9
I’m planning on smoking ribs slow over mesquite wood this morning, starting at maybe 11 a.m. But as of now, 7 a.m., snow is whirling past the windows and settling on the deck, at the feet of the Adirondack chairs. The scene [...]
I read The Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to: April 25
First music of the day: Bill Frisell’s Have a Little Faith, with his typically beautiful, slow guitar bringing melancholy life to music by Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa, Bob Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman” and even Madonna’s “Live to Tell.”
1, Got any [...]
Posted in Books, Cuisine, Politics, Sports, Travel, Visual arts on Apr 11th, 2010
I read The Sunday New York Times, so you don’t have to
Sorry this is late. I had to make breakfast for some house guests and get them to the airport, then pick up all of the guy stuff; cigar butts, champagne bottles and muscle-building magazines. Now, let’s see what’s happening in The Times.
1, Polish President [...]
Posted in Sports on Apr 8th, 2010
Where the Hell is My Amazing Freak Play of the Year?
In what was a technological milestone for The Critical Mass, on Wednesday I successfully imbedded a YouTube clip on a blog. A spectacular play from the season opener between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. “Amazing Freak Play of the Year,” I called it. [...]
Posted in Sports on Apr 7th, 2010
Amazing Freak Play of the Year already, with 161 games to go
The Cleveland Indians lost their home opener on Monday, and that’s OK; I’ll be seeing plenty of that in 2010. This is a rebuilding century. Just like most of the last century.
At least my team made all of the highlight shows in its season [...]