Last year, I asked some of the student-leaders in our church for recommendations of their favorite music, books, films, and television series, as a sort of ice-breaker. The resulting list was so intriguing that it fueled much of my summer … Continue reading
I’m not good at keeping up on all the latest music trends. I can’t even remember the last time I went to a concert (unless you count a middle school band concert). But my friends and family (special thanks to … Continue reading
My Dutch language skills have been diminishing gradually since 2012, when our family moved back to Ohio after a decade in Amsterdam. I recently subscribed to a Dutch podcast, however, as a way to counteract that erosion. I expected that … Continue reading
It’s that time of year for retrospection. I’ve recently noticed a number of my friends posting on social media about their favorite music from 2018. I suspect this is partly because my friends are really into music and partly because … Continue reading
This evening my kids and I got to visit a live broadcast of one of our favorite podcasts: Road Trippin’ with RJ and Channing — featuring two players from the World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers — and there was some extra-special … Continue reading
The word “awesome” must be used with great caution, when you’re a man in my position. Middle-aged, balding, father of pre-teens… the word on my lips can sound out-of-touch and anachronistic. I do well to use the word “awesome” only … Continue reading
Weird Al Yankovic has been all over the internet this week. He’s best known for his parodies, which he’s been putting out since the early 1980s. His most recent batch of releases includes some clever ones such as “Word Crimes” (a parody of … Continue reading
My most distinct memory of the modern musical rendition of “Hallelujah” happened in the attic of an old canal-house in Amsterdam. Chris Smith. 2003. The musician was a highly-talented guitarist and vocalist, but he was also a friend and co-worker … Continue reading
I’ve recently become a fan of a local podcast called Review Everything. Two of the personalities on the podcast are actually friends of mine — but this has very little to do with my enjoyment of their show. I enjoy … Continue reading
For as long as I can remember, my brother Jay has been a sort of personal DJ, flipping the wax for my life’s soundtrack. I still have fond memories of the songs he would record from the weekly radio broadcasts … Continue reading