The Riffs Room Re-upholstered

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Friday, February 6, 2009

Childhood's end: Part deaux

The late, great George Carlin was a man of many inspired observations on our society. One of many things he noted, and rightfully skewered, is the fact that you don’t really see many class clowns any more – because their parents put them all on Ritalin. Even before we got into the pros -- assuming... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Daze of whine and cheese

Is it just me entering early curmudgeon-hood, or did anything good ever come out of the ‘70s? Sadly, I find good things fade from memory but bad stuff latches on forever. One will almost never remember the name of the guy who fixed your bicycle tire when you had a flat, miles from home, right before... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, January 19, 2009

The future's so bright, gotta wear shades...

I know I’ve been, if not railing against technology, at least expressing my extreme befuddlement with it. The truth is, however, that technology is, in fact, our friend. So many wonderful things have come about just in my lifetime alone. I think back to my grand father, who possessed futuristic... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Technologically challenged: Part Deux

My mom rolled into town the other day. She has one of those talking car navigation things, something I thought she would absolutely hate it because like me, she is pretty much a technophobe. Also, like me, she’s not crazy about being told how to drive. Technology has always sort of confused folks in... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Classic Underground Movies: Part Uno

If you're looking for a great movie rental, assuming you can find it, check out "Songwriter." It's a sleeper - came out n the early 80's, probably as a vehicle to help Willie Nelson get out of tax trouble -- but it's truly one of the funniest, most well-written comedies I've seen in a long time. I... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

History of the Driving World: Part Uno

After quite a few years behind the wheel, my aunt still hugs the side of the road when she drives. It’s a little idiosyncracy ingrained in her at a very early age by her first driving instructor, my dad. “I wish he’d never done that,” my uncle sighs from the passenger seat, even as he is counting... Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, December 12, 2008

That's some bad hair, Harry...

Ah, fashion trends. I sometimes wonder if everything does, in fact, come back in style. I certainly hope not. I also wonder sometimes about our own particular brand of vanity. What the hell are we thinking sometimes? It's funny -- in the more rural parts of this place I now live, the mullet has not... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Return of Strat's Dumb Joke of the Day!

After closing time at the bar, a drunk was proudly showing off his new apartment to a couple of his friends. He led the way to his bedroom where there was a big brass gong and a mallet. 'What's that big brass gong?' one of the guests asked. 'It's not a gong. It's a talking clock,' the drunk replied.... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Felice Navidad, Ya'll: Reprise

OK, so with all the Christmas hustle going on around here, I thought it would be fun to see what folks might be doing around the world -- if they’re doing anything at all. I mean, somehow I doubt they’re going a-wassailing in, say, Botswana this year. Or are they? In order to get a better idea, I... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Agng gracefuly: Part Cinque

It’s another holiday season, replete with family gatherings, catch-up sessions with people I haven’t seen in awhile, and miserable attempts to recognize children of said people I haven’t seen. It’s weird, this process of aging through the children of my siblings, relatives, and friends. I’m starting... Sign in to see full entry.

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