Siftings
Jul
22
Settled
The woman in 11C is crying. Monday night, American Airlines flight 1393 is behind schedule, somewhere over the Sierra Nevadas. She’s been watching the movie Lion, and it’s the flush out the tear-ducts scene. I’m in 12B, trying to feel anything but disconnected from family as I hurtle westward...
Jul
21
Friday Countdown - MLB Caps
Ubiquitous, utilitarian and authentically American, baseball caps are the most obvious window to your soul. They are a fashion statement, class symbol, birthplace identifier and mood ring, all in one. Doubt their power at your own peril. See, as one example, the current state of affairs. Last...
Jul
14
Craig’s Friday Countdown - Obstacles
Obstacles navigated during or challenges related to a Wisconsin northwoods Jeep Jamboree, ranked from easiest to most difficult.
10. Mud
9. Incline
8. Big rocks
7.5. Boulder-sized rocks
7.25 Muddy incline with rocks, tree stumps and a general over abundance of...
Jul
11
Your Tick Remover Or Your Life
Something bad has happened. I can tell, because there’s a newspaper clipping on the driveway, under a rock, next to the Jeep. The Fortress of Solitude landlord has deposited another dispatch from the intersection of life and pathos for me to read. To be clear, he’s a very nice guy. Retired...
Jul
07
Craig’s Friday Countdown - Condiments
Condiments
33. Cheese Sauce (with e. coli)
32. Cheese Sauce (without e. coli)
31. Off-brand ketchup packets
30. Guacamole
29. Tahini
28. Wasabi
27. Mayonnaise
26. Getting Hit By A Bus
25. Ranch
24. Soy Sauce
23. Plum Sauce
22. ...
Jul
03
Pretty Deadly
All that stands between me and my life’s dream is a few mills of plastic. It’s an off-brand ketchup packet, and it’s going to stay an off-brand until they figure out how to include that little cut which starts the tear in their packet bid specs. This may set the record (to date) for the earliest...
Jun
29
Lab Work
Thanks Miggy. Someone had to say it, and it might as well be me. Miquel Montero was designated for assignment yesterday by the Cubs. The night before, he threw out zero of seven Washington Nationals attempting to steal bases. Outside of asking girls to the prom, baseball is the most humbling of...
Jun
23
Craig’s Friday Countdown - First Spin
Subject to change, but my ranking of songs from Jason Isbell (and the 400 Unit)’s just released new album, the Nashville Sound.
Based on the first listen to the full album. Ascending order.
Anxiety
Cumberland Gap
Chaos and Clothes
Tupelo
White Man’s World (brief related...
Jun
18
Straight Flush
You have to learn it. Never frowning. Furrowing your brow. Registering any negativity whatsoever, no matter what anyone says, or how they go on the attack. Even when they are attacking you. If you’re going to sit facing the crowd at a public meeting, bring your poker face. And pretend you’ve...
Jun
16
Craig’s Friday Countdown - Car Mags
Car Magazines
12. Motor Trend
11. Cat Fancy – Seriously, that’s how bad Motor Trend is.
10. Automobile - Needs a reboot.
9. Car – A UK mag.
8. Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee
7. Jalopnik
6. (tie) Hot Rod – The coolest cars of the bunch.
6. (tie) Road &...
