Word circulated through the media this morning that actress and pop star Doris Day passed away at the age of 97. In a bit of irony, I got the news in my Facebook feed just as I was beginning a lecture in a communications class about death and mourning on social media, and how that … Continue reading Rest in peace, Doris Day: “Everybody Loves a Lover” (1958)
Author: Len
A Mother’s Day Jukebox (various)
(Flashback to Mom showing me how the record player worked.) It's Mother's Day in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, India - in other words, most of the places where this blog gets read. I thought it might be fun to craft a playlist for Moms, Moms-to-be, people who … Continue reading A Mother’s Day Jukebox (various)
New this week in ’69: May 10
(Up on the housetop, hits are made.) May 10, 1969 It's the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Hamburger Hill, a Vietnam offensive in which 72 Americans lose their lives and 400 others are wounded. It's also the 50th anniversary of "Zip to Zap." The town of Zap, North Dakota, population 339, is overrun by … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 10
New this week in ’69: May 3
May 3, 1969 It's the day after the Queen Elizabeth II made its maiden voyage, setting sail from Southampton with something new for navigation: a system that uses Navy satellites called a "global positioning system." It can pinpoint the location of the boat within 100 feet. Several musical birthdays are celebrated this week: Frankie Valli … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 3
Guilty pleasures: Neneh Cherry, “Buffalo Stance” (1989)
(Above: This time, she is *not* introducing the high hat.) Thirty years ago this week "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry was on the doorstep of the Billboard Top 40. It entered Casey's countdown on May 6, and climbed up all the way to #3 before falling back off the charts. Neneh Cherry is the stepdaughter … Continue reading Guilty pleasures: Neneh Cherry, “Buffalo Stance” (1989)
New this week in ’69: April 26
April 26, 1969 It's the day after the birth of actress Renee Zellweger, who turned fifty yesterday. It's also the day that Manchester City win the FA Cup. (To this point, Coventry City have never won the FA Cup. They'll ruin a perfectly good losing streak in 1987.) Sunday, April 27th sees the birth of … Continue reading New this week in ’69: April 26
New this week in ’69: April 19
April 19, 1969 It's the day after we first see a controversial innovation that has pitted brother against brother and father against son. I'm talking about baseball's designated hitter rule, which is first used in the AAA-level American Association on April 18. Technically, the hitters that day that played the role were DPHs - "designated … Continue reading New this week in ’69: April 19
New this week in ’69: April 12
(Lie-la-lie.) April 12, 1969 Wales wins the Five Nations crown. That's rugby union, of course - they beat England, Scotland, and Ireland to win the triple crown and drew with France. Two days later the St. Louis Cardinals play the Montreal Expos in the first MLB game held outside the United States. (I used the … Continue reading New this week in ’69: April 12
New this week in ’69: April 5
(Above: Baseball comes to Canada, April 14, 1969.) April 5, 1969 Leading the news today: a sniper takes to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and begins shooting at random from his car parked on the shoulder. Two are killed and fifteen are injured. The gunman later shoots his wife and turns the gun on himself. He's identified … Continue reading New this week in ’69: April 5
New this week in ’69: March 29
(Above: President Eisenhower, as painted by Rockwell and seen in Porky's.) March 29, 1969 The country is mourning the loss of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who passed away yesterday at the age of 78. That same day Pope Paul VI increased the number of cardinals in the church by one-third. Also on the 28th, … Continue reading New this week in ’69: March 29
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 