You could be in Denver today.
October 30, 2009
October 28, 2009
Pumpkins in Providence
We went to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular last weekend at the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, R.I.
There were more than 5,000 pumpkins on a trail through the woods and on the water, many with themes set to music.
Here are some of the more memorable pumpkins:
Michael Jackson.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Kurt Cobain.
Dom DeLuise and Farrah Fawcett.
September 11, 2009
9/11
Shine on.
July 04, 2009
Red, White and Blue
We live in the best country in the world.
Let's keep it that way.
June 26, 2009
Michael Jackson
Somehow we knew it would end early.
In a life that transitioned from untouchable pop star to curious circus attraction, Michael Jackson checked out before closing time, leaving an empty dance floor and a weathered broken crown in his wake.
He was arguably as big as Elvis for a few short years and, like the King, took his last breath too early but well beyond relevance.
Images of a grown man's Neverland, Joseph Merrick's bones, a dangling baby and purple PJs replaced images of the Top of the Pops, the moonwalk, a confident swagger and sold-out arenas.
If you're over 45, you remember the first time hearing "I'll Be There" and the wonder and amazement of the little tyke with the big afro on lead vocals. You remember when the upstart "ABC" and the gentle "Ben" dominated the airwaves.
Tiger Beat magazine seemingly could not go to publication without the round, smiling face of Jackson on the cover. The legend was literally in its infancy before surging with the vehicle of MTV.
Jackson, with apologies to Madonna, dominated the cutting-edge music channel in its early days. His work with John Landis on the "Thriller" video was groundbreaking and received heavy rotation despite its 13-minute length.
The "Thriller" album shot to the top of the charts and, to this day, is by far the top selling album of all-time with more than 100 million copies leaving the shelves.
In the mid-'80s, once "Thriller" had been tasted and consumed by just about everyone with an ear for music, Jackson created a swoon just by flashing his white glove from behind the stage curtain.
He was untouchable. Until he was accused of touching.
Accusations of sexual relations with children, a premise deemed unforgivable by even most hardened criminals, tarnished his reputation for life.
We could accept the white skin and Teflon-chiseled facial features. We could accept the quirky mannerisms. We could accept that he had more money than he knew what to do with. We could accept his fascination with Liz Taylor.
But the Neverland sleepovers we could not accept. Even if we never knew the complete truth.
No one could listen to his music the same way anymore. It was no longer chic to spin "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" without someone commenting about the source of the rhythm and the negative connotations that came with it.
It was sad.
And now it's over.
The King of Pop has left us.
But it really feels like he left us long ago.
May 10, 2009
April 24, 2009
April 14, 2009
The Bird
He was a joy to watch pitch.
Mark Fidrych, one of the wackiest athletes to ever play Major League Baseball, was a highlight of the summer of '76.
Fidrych died yesterday at 54.
Both he and Ted Nugent were Detroit's Motor City Madmen.
Like Bill Lee was the Spaceman for the Red Sox, Mark Fidrych was the Bird for the Tigers.
His candle did not burn long on the diamond, just as it did not burn long in retirement from the game.
Rest in peace, Bird.
March 20, 2009
Best of the Week
A little Irish music under a sun-splashed sky lights up the annual Naples, Fla., St. Patrick's Day Parade.
March 03, 2009
Snow
Just go away.
Bring on spring.
(Photo courtesy of USA Today.)
