Learn to live with the unimaginable: A look back at 2021

In 2021, Supporters of US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol to delay the certification of Joe Biden as President; The COVID 19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc; Hideki Matsuyama won the Masters Tournament, becoming the first Japanese player to win a major golf championship; Space X and Blue Origin launched space tourism flights;… Continue reading Learn to live with the unimaginable: A look back at 2021

Chevrolet turned 100: A look back at 2011

In 2011, Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation sparked the Arab Spring; Prince William married Catherine Middleton; The eruption of Grímsvötn disrupted air travel in Northwestern Europe; NASA announced it had photographic evidence of water on Mars; Occupy Wall Street protests began in the United States; The global population surpassed seven billion; Minecraft was released; Watson defeated Ken… Continue reading Chevrolet turned 100: A look back at 2011

I was told there’d be flying cars: A look back at 2010

In 2010, Conan O’Brien was fired as host of The Tonight Show; The Burj Khalifa became the tallest man-made structure in the world; The XXI Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver; The eruption of Mount Eyjafjallajökull disrupted air traffic throughout Europe; The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform exploded; The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis… Continue reading I was told there’d be flying cars: A look back at 2010

Once upon a time, I wrestled while you slept

The Wrestler (2008) For those of us who remember wrestling in the Hulk Hogan heyday, this is a powerful counterpoint, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of being a wrestling performer. Constant touring, being away from your family, broken bones, and concussions are only a few of the features of the profession. And most wrestlers aren’t… Continue reading Once upon a time, I wrestled while you slept

One small step: A look back at 1969

In 1969: Rupert Murdoch bought The News of the World; The New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, The Beatles performed for the last time together on the rooftop of Apple Studios; The Stonewall Riots took place in New York City; The United States withdrew the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills… Continue reading One small step: A look back at 1969

Everything that follows is older than Willow Smith: A look back at 1999

In 1999: The euro was established; US President Bill Clinton was acquitted in impeachment proceedings; Nunavut became Canada’s third territory; Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and one teacher at Columbine High School; Napster debuted; The US Women’s team defeated China to win the Women’s World Cup; Kiribati, Nauru, and Tonga joined the… Continue reading Everything that follows is older than Willow Smith: A look back at 1999

The check for all three is in the blackmail

  Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) After seven months with no arrests for the violent rape and murder of her daughter, Angela, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) rents three billboards chastising the police for their lack of progress. This sets off a firestorm of controversy in her small town where people revere the local sheriff… Continue reading The check for all three is in the blackmail

Everything that follows is older than Carl Grimes: A look back at 1998

In 1998, The Drudge Report broke the story about Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky; The Unabomber pled guilty; The Winter Olympics took place in Nagano, Japan; Titanic became the first film to gross over a billion dollars; France won the World Cup; Google was founded; Iranian President Mohammad Khatami retracted the fatwa against Salman… Continue reading Everything that follows is older than Carl Grimes: A look back at 1998

The year of the great video game crash: A look back 1983

The Disney Channel began broadcasting; Sally Ride became the first American woman in space; Dragon’s Lair was released in arcades; The Famicom (known in the United States as the Nintendo Entertainment System) was released; Vanessa Williams became the first African-American Miss America; Brunei and Saint Kitts and Nevis became independent states; Microsoft Word was released;… Continue reading The year of the great video game crash: A look back 1983

Reflections on 3174, Year of Our Lady of Discord: A look back at 2008

In 2008, Iran launched its first rocket into space; Kosovo declared independence from Serbia; The Summer Olympics took place in Beijing; A global financial crisis dominated headlines; Spotify launched; Satoshi Nakamoto published a paper announcing Bitcoin; Barack Obama was elected as the 45th President of the United States of America; The Marvel Cinematic Universe debuted… Continue reading Reflections on 3174, Year of Our Lady of Discord: A look back at 2008