Home Theater/Computer Advice Bleg
I need some IT help, so I contacted the folks at Popular Mechanics with a question that I think would make for a good story. In the meantime, I thought I’d post it here in case any tech-savvy readers stumble by.
Top 25 Sports Movies Of All Time (& 50 More)
I’ve always been disappointed in other people’s lists of great sports movies. After thumbing through the movie database in my brain for a recent post, I decided I’d compile my own list. To begin, I decided on the criteria. I tried to be objective and strip the films of personal nostalgia and cultural hype. I don’t think average movies should be included on the list just so some of the more obscure sports can get a mention. My list is all about quality entertainment, not equal opportunity.
The films have to revolve around a single sport and must include a decent amount of playing time in order for me to consider it a true “Sports Movie.” For example, Tin Cup is obviously a sports movie because of the plot and playing time. The Sandlot qualifies as well, but barely. In contrast, Resurrecting the Champ revolves around boxing but isn’t a sports movie in my opinion. Neither is The Black Stallion, even though it concludes with a horse race. Anyway, here’s the list:
Italian Beef Sandwiches & Sweet and Spicy Cole Slaw
The wife and I are enamored with our new Sunday treat, the Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich.
If you’re not familiar with this heavenly mess, think of it as the bastard offspring of a French dip and a Philly cheese steak. Watch this video for more information. There’s really no place locally to get these sandwiches, so I’ve been experimenting at home with my crock pot. There are several recipes online that have merit, and I’ve pieced them together to formulate my own method.
77 Good Movies You Might Not Have Heard About
I was discussing films with my wife’s cousin at a wedding a few weeks ago, and we promised to trade suggestions for good movies that aren’t commonly discussed. In order to compile my list, I pulled up my Netflix history and started copying and pasting titles. As the list grew longer, I decided to blog it. Friends are always asking me for movie advice anyway, so it’s nice to put a list on paper, so to speak.
This is not a list of “under the radar” movies or “indie” films that lived up to the hype. Nor is this a list of all the great movies since Hollywood went talkie. It’s merely a subjective list of films I’ve enjoyed that might not be very well known to casual movie fans in their 30s or younger. Some are new, some are old, some are blockbusters, and some are independent productions. I’ve tried to skip over the more ubiquitous titles and provide a diverse compilation for people who are running out of new releases for their Netflix queues.
I’m Not There (I’m Gone) Lyrics
I’ve been listening to Dylan’s I’m Not There a lot lately. That might seem odd, considering that the track starts part way through the first verse and many of the lyrics are inaudible. The song was unfinished an never intended for release. Fans weren’t even sure the songs were real until the appropriately named series of Basement Tapes were released by Columbia Records:
As Dylan recovered from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in July 1966, he summoned the Band and began to record both new compositions and traditional material with them. All of the sixteen Dylan compositions are thought to have been recorded in 1967 in the basement of Big Pink, a house shared by three of the members of the Band, while the eight Band songs were recorded at various times and locations between 1967 and 1975; overdubs were also added in 1975 to some of the Dylan songs
Even though the cut of the song is rough, the melody is hypnotic and the listener can get the sense of what Dylan was trying to say. Despite the relative popularity of the song, it’s hard to find a decent transcription of the lyrics. I thought I’d give it a shot.
Homemade Sweet Potato Chips & Garlic Aioli
The wife gave me a mandoline for Valentine’s Day and I’ve been waiting for a chance to break it in. Last night we decided to make some healthy, homemade, sweet potato chips. I set the slicer to 1/8″ and went to town. It’ll take some practice to get perfectly even slices, but I was pleased with the model we chose.
It’s amazing how far one potato goes when the slices are so thin.
The Circus Is In Town
On our recent trip to DC, the wife and I listened to the novel, Water for Elephants. Even though much of the book is set in the early Depression Era, the colorful storytelling and the dynamics of a traveling carnival made us want to visit the circus. The Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus just came through Greenville and we went to see yesterday’s show. I took these pictures with my phone:
My Letter in The Greenville News
I recently wrote another guest editorial for The Greenville News. This time, instead of printing it just as I wrote it, they butchered it down and ran it as a letter to to the editor. As is all too common, their selective editing removed the larger context of the piece.
Here’s their version: Letter: Downtown wants you for 120 minutes
The full piece is here:
