The summer of 1983, a big budget television film crew landed in Lawrence, Kansas. The Day After told the story of a Midwest community and the aftermath of a nuclear strike. I was living in Lawrence and had been for the previous 20 years. When a film production comes to town, it’s a big deal. … More The Day After (1983)
Hard to believe John Lennon has been gone 40 years, but it is safe to say his legacy is stronger than it has ever been. I remembered John Lennon back in 2017. Remembering John Lennon Even more than his musical career, I believe he is most associated with the peace movement. It is impossible to … More John Lennon at 80
With the passing of Eddie Van Halen, I decided to list some of my favorite Van Halen songs. Many of these were hits, some not. Some have Dave, others have Sammy. VH received so much airplay since the late 1970s that their music is hard to miss. Many of their songs are hard rock staples … More Van Halen Songs
“He lived a charmed life; a trail of convenient shortcuts defined his rise and incredible success.” This would be a great opening line to a life story. Perhaps if you are the great Gatsby or Donald Trump, this would fit, but most of us hike a different journey. We play by the rules, wait in … More No Shortcuts
I got this phrase from a John Wayne Western, but I am familiar with the concept. Very familiar. In my college days, I did a fair share of thinking that way. Many weekends, Mr. Johnson and I operated a think tank. I doubt many significant problems were solved, but some great ideas were hatched. And … More Thinkin’ Drinkin’
I am very fond of quotes. There is a lot of wisdom in them. The really insightful pearls are timeless. Quotes also show how we used to think and how we have evolved through the centuries. Below are some quotes that caught my eye and I have used them in publications. Enjoy. “Every generation inherits … More Quotes
Someone says the economy is doing great. What does that mean? Who benefits? Who loses? There are all kinds of people touting what makes a strong economy. Usually referred are jobs and the stock market. Trade surplus is another one. Wage growth. Interest rates. Gross Domestic Product. Consumer Price Index. All valuable to some degree. … More Economic Indicators
We have all had bad days. We hope the good days vastly outnumber the bad. Last week I had such a day. The more problems I solved, the more that sprouted out of nowhere. The topper was a problem I unknowingly caused trying to help someone else. I felt the breath drain out of me. … More Dealing With a Bad Day
Favorite bands and musicians? My list is long. Picking one for each letter of the alphabet is challenging. Sometimes you have to work around a first name or last. Alan Parsons Project – A studio creation, two talented guys wrote the intricate songs and hired musicians to help create the music. For nearly a decade, … More Favorite Bands: A to Z
I have always liked the term, natural progressions. It has no universal meaning, but we understand that progression is something that advances in a logical direction, building on its own foundation. Progression means progress, forward or continuing, exploring new ground or expanding. A natural progression would be something flowing on its own accord, guided, but … More Natural Progressions
