"Curb Your Enthusiasm," my favorite show, comes back on the air Sept. 20. Apparently, the new season is centered on a reunion of the "Seinfeld" cast. Personally, I hope the Blacks return.
Can't wait to find out, but for now, we've got classic clips.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Back to work
The following column ends an eight-year run (to the month) of Can You Dig It? columns for The Clinton Chronicle. Working there was the greatest, but then having a chance to continue writing the column after I left was the best thing in the world, giving me a forum and a deadline every month. There would be no digital home without the analog home, but eight years later, it's time to focus on a new project and a new kind of writing.
So, here it is. It ain't the best one and it ain't the worst.
My 13-month ride on the unemployment rollercoaster finally ends this week as I ditch the soup and snot-stained T-shirt and shorts uniform of a stay-at-home dad for a tie and a new job.
Comparing my unemployment experience to a rollercoaster is not quite right, though. There wasn’t any slow, exciting steep climb to the top – just one long, continuous drop down, down, down, with all of the requisite screaming and nausea.
Thankfully, it’s all over now, and I can celebrate this new chapter in my life.
But that’s not the whole story either.
As awful as it was to be unemployed during a time of national economic crisis, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a lot of valuable time with my 2-year-old daughter, Sofia, who time and time again crashed my self-pity party by just being amazing.
Even when your adulterous governor is threatening to stop payment on your unemployment check and you’re watching the same episode of “Dora the Explorer" for the billionth time, it’s hard to feel completely worthless when out of the azul your daughter squeezes your neck and says, “I love you, Daddy.”
I knew eventually I would go back to work, but I didn’t know how painful it would be to have to leave the best job in the world. I take solace in the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to do something that not a lot of dads get to do, and I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job.
In the 13 months we’ve shared together, she’s graduated from crib to big girl bed, diaper to big girl undies, given up use of her pacifier and learned to complete a puzzle of the “The United States of America-rah.” Her vocabulary has grown to include words like “Debonair” and “Right-Wing Nut Job,” and most importantly, she’s completely potty trained.
Her working mommy definitely had a lot to do with these accomplishments, but I know the time we’ve shared together has had a singular impact.
Without my influence, would she have learned to scream and cry like a baby when she doesn’t get her way? Maybe. But would she be throwing tantrums when the Cubs bullpen blows a late-inning lead? Probably not.
Would she have gained a special affection for blue lollipops and the way they turn your tongue blue? I hope so. Would she ask the bank teller, “Can I have a blue one, please, lady?” I doubt it.
Other than my fear that Sofia will feel I’m abandoning her when I go back to work, my concern is that after of all this time I’ve spent out of the workforce at home alone with my daughter, I’ll forget how to interact with adults on the job.
How long will it be before I ask one of my new coworkers if they have to go potty? How close is my new office to the timeout step? What happens if I’m at a business lunch and out of habit I try to cut up someone else’s spaghetti? Can I put grumpy people down for a nap?
I’m hopeful things will work out. My new job is a great one worth the long wait and the coworkers I’ve met all seem very nice. I’m sure they won’t be offended, though, if I say the best part of each workday will arriving at Sofia’s daycare, watching her run to me, yelling, “Daddy!” all the way.
So, here it is. It ain't the best one and it ain't the worst.
My 13-month ride on the unemployment rollercoaster finally ends this week as I ditch the soup and snot-stained T-shirt and shorts uniform of a stay-at-home dad for a tie and a new job.
Comparing my unemployment experience to a rollercoaster is not quite right, though. There wasn’t any slow, exciting steep climb to the top – just one long, continuous drop down, down, down, with all of the requisite screaming and nausea.
Thankfully, it’s all over now, and I can celebrate this new chapter in my life.
But that’s not the whole story either.
As awful as it was to be unemployed during a time of national economic crisis, I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a lot of valuable time with my 2-year-old daughter, Sofia, who time and time again crashed my self-pity party by just being amazing.
Even when your adulterous governor is threatening to stop payment on your unemployment check and you’re watching the same episode of “Dora the Explorer" for the billionth time, it’s hard to feel completely worthless when out of the azul your daughter squeezes your neck and says, “I love you, Daddy.”
I knew eventually I would go back to work, but I didn’t know how painful it would be to have to leave the best job in the world. I take solace in the fact that I’ve been lucky enough to do something that not a lot of dads get to do, and I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job.
In the 13 months we’ve shared together, she’s graduated from crib to big girl bed, diaper to big girl undies, given up use of her pacifier and learned to complete a puzzle of the “The United States of America-rah.” Her vocabulary has grown to include words like “Debonair” and “Right-Wing Nut Job,” and most importantly, she’s completely potty trained.
Her working mommy definitely had a lot to do with these accomplishments, but I know the time we’ve shared together has had a singular impact.
Without my influence, would she have learned to scream and cry like a baby when she doesn’t get her way? Maybe. But would she be throwing tantrums when the Cubs bullpen blows a late-inning lead? Probably not.
Would she have gained a special affection for blue lollipops and the way they turn your tongue blue? I hope so. Would she ask the bank teller, “Can I have a blue one, please, lady?” I doubt it.
Other than my fear that Sofia will feel I’m abandoning her when I go back to work, my concern is that after of all this time I’ve spent out of the workforce at home alone with my daughter, I’ll forget how to interact with adults on the job.
How long will it be before I ask one of my new coworkers if they have to go potty? How close is my new office to the timeout step? What happens if I’m at a business lunch and out of habit I try to cut up someone else’s spaghetti? Can I put grumpy people down for a nap?
I’m hopeful things will work out. My new job is a great one worth the long wait and the coworkers I’ve met all seem very nice. I’m sure they won’t be offended, though, if I say the best part of each workday will arriving at Sofia’s daycare, watching her run to me, yelling, “Daddy!” all the way.
Greenville eats
Chicago Sun-Times travel reporter Dave Hoekstra wrote a nice story about our fair Greenville, which the sub-headline describes as a "food-tastic" city.
I agree.
Of our beautiful downtown, Hoekstra writes, "This is the best American downtown redevelopment I have seen since the San Antonio River Walk."
Come visit. We'll show it to you.
Friday, August 21, 2009
'We All Wanna Be Prince'
Can't believe my wife out-scooped me on this cool song by Felix Da Housecat. Most all of the lyrics come from Prince songs.
Careful! Put the kids to bed before watching.
Felix Da Housecat - We All Wanna Be Prince
Careful! Put the kids to bed before watching.
Felix Da Housecat - We All Wanna Be Prince
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Everything's Good Ugly is here
Can You Dig It? friend Che Grand's debut full-length album is out now on iTunes and Amazon.
If you like the hip-hop music, you would be well served buying this album from a truly great independent artist. If you just want a taste, check out the tracks "Swing," "Crash," "Girls Talk" and "Gold Chains (Part Deux)."
For a refresher, check out the interview Che did with Can You Dig It? last year.
While you're at it, don't forget Can You Dig It?'s other crew, Tanya Morgan, and their second album, Brooklynati. Another classic.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Panthers training camp
For years I've been wanting to go check out the Carolina Panthers at their training camp a half hour up the road in Spartanburg, but never made it.
I've been to plenty of football practices, both as a player (don't laugh, it's true) and a reporter, so I know what it smells like.
But even that couldn't keep me away today. I decided to spend my last morning on the unemployment rolls with the Panthers and it was pretty cool. I took my crappy little camera and got a few good shots, but the best part was my "conversation" with the best receiver in the NFL, Steve Smith.
Apparently, it was a surprise that he was even out on the field today after he was injured last week.
I'll tell the story now because I know over the years it will grow into an epic tale of how I taught Steve Smith how to juke a defender over a three-piece Bojangles combo meal.
My friend Mike and I were at the fence around the sideline when Smith came over right in front of us to grab a bottle of Gatorade. Everyone around us was quiet as he drank about half of it and dumped the rest on the ground.
My inner smart ass took over and I said, "Hey, Steve, c'mon we're thirsty here."
He looked at me and said, "What?"
"It's hot. How 'bout a Gatorade?"
He looked at my University of South Carolina T-shirt and said, "Not with that Gamecocks shirt on."
I stood there with a dumb look on my face.
"Nah, I'm just kidding," he said.
Whew.
So, no Gatorade, but Mike reminded me later that I did sort of get an apology from him. Last year, Smith had to apologize for punching one of his teammates and breaking his nose at training camp, so I was glad to get out of there with just a dumb look on my face.
Here are the pix, including Smith and the offending Gatorade:
I've been to plenty of football practices, both as a player (don't laugh, it's true) and a reporter, so I know what it smells like.
But even that couldn't keep me away today. I decided to spend my last morning on the unemployment rolls with the Panthers and it was pretty cool. I took my crappy little camera and got a few good shots, but the best part was my "conversation" with the best receiver in the NFL, Steve Smith.
Apparently, it was a surprise that he was even out on the field today after he was injured last week.
I'll tell the story now because I know over the years it will grow into an epic tale of how I taught Steve Smith how to juke a defender over a three-piece Bojangles combo meal.
My friend Mike and I were at the fence around the sideline when Smith came over right in front of us to grab a bottle of Gatorade. Everyone around us was quiet as he drank about half of it and dumped the rest on the ground.
My inner smart ass took over and I said, "Hey, Steve, c'mon we're thirsty here."
He looked at me and said, "What?"
"It's hot. How 'bout a Gatorade?"
He looked at my University of South Carolina T-shirt and said, "Not with that Gamecocks shirt on."
I stood there with a dumb look on my face.
"Nah, I'm just kidding," he said.
Whew.
So, no Gatorade, but Mike reminded me later that I did sort of get an apology from him. Last year, Smith had to apologize for punching one of his teammates and breaking his nose at training camp, so I was glad to get out of there with just a dumb look on my face.
Here are the pix, including Smith and the offending Gatorade:
Summer Concert Series: Let's Work
The final edition of Can You Dig It?'s summer concert series celebrates my new job.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The crazy crazies are ramping up their crazy
I find it interesting that the not-so-rad radical right has latched on to health care reform as the big battle worthy of all the Hitler comparisons. What kind of interest do they have in protecting that industry? I doubt the dude who scribbled the Hitler mustache on the President's picture is a doctor or a pharmaceutical rep. More likely, he's probably a guy who's going to benefit from a national health plan when his Kodiak habit finally catches up with him and puts a hole in his lip.
Unfortunately, people who don't know any better (former Alaskan governors, members of congress and talk show hosts) are fanning the flames because the only thing that keeps them in the news is saying wild stuff about the President.
Rachel Maddow catalogs the nutters and their death threats
Some whack job rips a lady's poster of Rosa Parks before she can show it to a reporter, the lady retaliates, then gets escorted out.
Unfortunately, people who don't know any better (former Alaskan governors, members of congress and talk show hosts) are fanning the flames because the only thing that keeps them in the news is saying wild stuff about the President.
Rachel Maddow catalogs the nutters and their death threats
Some whack job rips a lady's poster of Rosa Parks before she can show it to a reporter, the lady retaliates, then gets escorted out.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Publicity tour
The promotional blitz for my first book, "The Best of Can You Dig It? Volume I," continues Monday with a 7:30 a.m. appearance on "The Doghouse" morning show on WPCC Sports Radio 1410. I'll go head-to-head with the members of Rhonda's Book Club, who supposedly read the book. Listen to it live here: WPCC 1410.
Yesterday, my staffers launched the social media portion of the campaign with the development of one of those crazy Facebook quizzes. You answer a few pointed questions and the little people who live in your computer calculate the score to determine which "The Best of Can You Dig It? Volume I" column you are. Play it here: Which "The Best of Can You Dig It? Volume I" Column Are You?
Monday at 7:00 p.m., the radio station hosts my first-ever book signing at Presbyterian College's new bookstore, My Friend's Bookstore, on Musgrove Street in beautiful downtown Clinton. Come meet me and get your book personalized with my greasy fingerprints. My advance team is reporting a throng of fans is already camped outside, with some even dressed up as characters from their favorite columns -- lots of bearded dudes in orange shoelaces and, for some reason, Chewbaccas.
Letterman has to be next.
So, what are you waiting for? Get the book my grandmothers are calling "just wonderful" by clicking the link on the upper right hand of the page.
Summer Concert Series: John Hughes Memorial Concert
The great John Hughes died yesterday. Today, we remember him for the great music in his great films.
Sixteen Candles
The Breakfast Club
Pretty in Pink
National Lampoon's Vacation
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Sixteen Candles
The Breakfast Club
Pretty in Pink
National Lampoon's Vacation
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Monday, August 3, 2009
News
South Carolina's unemployment numbers just went down by one.
That's right. Can You Dig It? is going back to work. The markets are already responding positively.
Unfortunately, some of the shine was knocked off after sharing the news with the 2-year-old.
"Guess what, sweetie? Papi's going to work!"
"Can I come with you?"
Heartbreaking.
That's right. Can You Dig It? is going back to work. The markets are already responding positively.
Unfortunately, some of the shine was knocked off after sharing the news with the 2-year-old.
"Guess what, sweetie? Papi's going to work!"
"Can I come with you?"
Heartbreaking.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Apologies to The New York Times
Sorry, NYT, for yesterday's post.
Here's why people should still read you: Today's column by Frank Rich on race and the Henry Louis Gates vs. Cambridge PD story, the birther crazies, Sotomayor's confirmation, etc. It's a great summation and analysis of July's messes.
"Threatened white elites try to mask their own anxieties by patronizingly adopting working-class whites as their pet political surrogates — Joe the Plumber, New Haven firemen, a Cambridge police officer. Call it Village People populism."
Here's why people should still read you: Today's column by Frank Rich on race and the Henry Louis Gates vs. Cambridge PD story, the birther crazies, Sotomayor's confirmation, etc. It's a great summation and analysis of July's messes.
"Threatened white elites try to mask their own anxieties by patronizingly adopting working-class whites as their pet political surrogates — Joe the Plumber, New Haven firemen, a Cambridge police officer. Call it Village People populism."
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Newspapers
I bought a copy of The New York Times this morning for the first time in a long time. Paid $2 for it.
I read maybe five articles and felt pretty dumb.
In a front page article on high-level executives at GE and Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation brokering some kind of cease-fire between Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly, reporter Brian Stelter writes that O'Reilly "found his bête noire" in Olbermann. Back in "The Arts" section, I read a review of a Grace Jones concert in which writer Jon Caramanica remarked that "Ms. Jones is sui generis."
Could this be why newspapers are failing? As smart as I look toting around The New York Times and as much as I love fancy writing, if I have to log on to the internet to translate French and Latin phrases, I might as well just read the papers online for free.
I read maybe five articles and felt pretty dumb.
In a front page article on high-level executives at GE and Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation brokering some kind of cease-fire between Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly, reporter Brian Stelter writes that O'Reilly "found his bête noire" in Olbermann. Back in "The Arts" section, I read a review of a Grace Jones concert in which writer Jon Caramanica remarked that "Ms. Jones is sui generis."
Could this be why newspapers are failing? As smart as I look toting around The New York Times and as much as I love fancy writing, if I have to log on to the internet to translate French and Latin phrases, I might as well just read the papers online for free.
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