‘Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.’ I recently read Lee Siegel’s book about Groucho. It was fairly good, but it did get me thinking about my own enjoyment and love of The Marx Bros, particularly Groucho. The first Marx bros film I saw was the A Night At the Opera, and then Duck Soup. What amazed me about those films wasn’t just that they were funny, but how disrespectful and mocking they were to everyone.... Read more

Today is the Epiphany. Epiphany is an old greek word that originally meant insight brought about by confrontation with the Divine. Ancient Myths and Epic poems used to be scattered with moments like that, T.S. Eliot, knowing that plays off this idea his poem, Journey of the Magi. Here is a recording of the poem. I always loved that bit of writing. The last part of the poem when one of the Kings remembers the journey. Time has passed and... Read more

Today starts a new year, or at least that’s what my Calendar says. No doubt a great many spent the evening drinking and celebrating the end of a fine year. If you didn’t find it fine perhaps that increased your cause for celebration. Another One Down you might say. Others of you might’ve gone to sleep early, celebrating the end of the year with the same stoic resolve you face every other day, quietly snoring under some blankets. Tomorrow’s another... Read more

This year had quite a bit going on. I suppose looking back is a natural tendency and so the next few posts will probably be things that happened in 2015 that are worth talking about. I’m going to start with the end of the my favorite show, Justified. Justified was a magnificent show from start to finish. I used to describe it as just a modern day Western. Certainly that’s there, but at it’s core it does much more than... Read more

1. Prayer Preaching God doesn’t always get to hear your wisdom, and neither do the rest of the people you’re praying with. Please take this moment to dispense such wisdom. After all, God wants to hear your thoughts here, that’s why he had you lead prayer. 2. Passive-Agressive Prayer When you’re praying in a Group. Make sure to articulate exactly what bothers you about the other people, but do it in a way where you can deny that it was... Read more

I received some fine gifts on Christmas, but I do think there is one gift that I value above all the others. It was not expensive but it was something I think is rather fitting for me to own. You can see it to the right. Yes, that’s Pinocchio. It is a simple wooden toy, but I was thrilled to get it. There is something about this wooden puppet. The Disney version had to do much work to make him likable.... Read more

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I am here typing away while my mom finishes up the last bit of work she needs before she enjoys her vacation, there are three dogs asleep within arms reach, one on a pillow, one on a recliner and the chihuahua is near my feet. My sister is getting ready to go pick up my younger brother and his wife, who are flying in tonight, and there is no snow to be seen anywhere. Outside the... Read more

The Homie, Matt Dunn, is doing a guest post. Enjoy.   I can still remember when it started: driving down the street, my wife and I saw a banner covering the normal sign of a store that we had never noticed before. “GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!! up to 90% OFF!” the sign hollered at us (ever notice how tiny the “up to” is on those signs?). The store, a Christmas Shop, specialized in garlands, lights and such, which was like... Read more