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A
monthly diary of current postings and quick train of thought entries
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February
2021
Making some chili
today. My own recipe. House is beginning to smell REALLY good,
and that’s well before the planned take on apple pie coming
for dessert. Going to be a good day. But chances are good you
don’t care about that. (Let me know if you do. Need to know
how much cornbread to make.)
Over the past few
years, I’ve often tried to use the turn the page, resolutions,
new day atmosphere of a New Year as a reason to kick myself
into gear. End result, a complete rush toward quantity with
the idea of averaging an essay a day. While I believe I’ve always
managed to finish the effort when the challenge was set in place,
I don’t ever recall carrying it over into February.
Until this year.
Didn’t expect to
try it. Then the month was starting out, I had some works in
progress, and I made a run at it. Yesterday, we hit twenty-seven
essays. Today, we clear the bar. And while we’ll release some
balloons and cheer a bit, I feel obliged to point out we won’t
be continuing this run into March. Got a few other things to
work on, like the web site’s anniversary and several assorted
projects.
Here’s the essay
to wrap up the February challenge…
“What
time does the mail get here?”
Might be back tomorrow…
more likely back in March. Have a great day, and enjoy the chili.
Got
an e-mail yesterday. Person asked why it seemed like visits to
the From the Backpack archives don’t happen on a regular basis.
Wanted to know if I could do something to make posting older material
a more regular occurrence.
I
definitely appreciate the thought. But chances are, no. The main
reason is actually pretty simple. There isn’t that much left that
works in this way. Let me explain…
Most
of the material that would work here comes from two possibilities:
Material that had been posted, was taken down for some reason
and hasn’t been reposted. And, material generated in some fashion
outside of the web site that never has been posted.
A
massive chunk of the site’s material that has disappeared and
hasn’t returned includes stuff like weekly football picks and
preseason baseball predictions. Fun to write, timely when posted,
really has not aged well at all.
Another
batch that works in this area is material that I honestly don’t
think was all that exciting. Movie reviews, for instance.
While
it is possible that there is material to work on and add to the
site, the reality of the situation is that I don’t have a ton
of options that fit three basic ideas: (1) It isn’t outdated,
(2) it is an essay-ish size piece and not a significantly longer
effort, and, (3) it contains material worthy of posting.
I
wade into the archives from time to time. For a variety of reasons.
And yup, I do find some stuff while I’m there. I am not saying
we don’t have any more From the Backpack material, regardless
of where I might find it. But I highly doubt if there’s enough
to make it a regular routine, with a set schedule.
So,
thanks for the thought. I definitely appreciate the interest,
and I’ll keep looking.
Ok…there
you go. Feel free to e-mail other questions and we’ll try to answer
them.
Love
Linda Cardellini’s work, so the news
about Murder Party heading to Amazon
is exciting. (Plus, comparisons to Clue and Knives
Out—an underrated masterpiece and a brilliant film, respectively—that’s
some deep waters to be reaching for, so a high bar is being set.)
It
is quite possible you’ve never heard of Phil Jones. He’s a drummer,
and he’s worked with a ton of big names, on many projects where
you probably don’t even know about his contributions. Check out
this
interview to learn more about him and some
huge parts of music history.
“When
another brand just won’t do”
“Always
count your change”
Disneyland has taken
an empty location, formerly occupied by a Rainforest Café,
and opened
it as a Star Wars Trading Post. (From what
I’ve seen, Disney World locations of Rainforest Café
are still open.)
Annie Murphy did
a tremendous job in Schitt’s Creek. Now—seemingly,
to me, a bit like Kaley Cuoco did with The Flight Attendant—Annie
appears set to make a bit of a departure,
shake things up, and deliver as part of a really interesting
new project, Kevin Can F**k Himself.
NASA
has landed a new rover on Mars. Perseverance
is the name, and it is already sending back some incredible
images.
Birch
syrup? I admit it, I chuckled when I started
reading the article. But then they noted how the season matches
up nicely with tapping maple trees, meaning that maple syrup
producers can take the same equipment and simply shift into
the next gathering cycle without disrupting other operations.
I don’t know of
many events in entertainment quite like Richard Dawson’s efforts
in The Running Man. That was just a wonderful, amazing
shocker. So, it makes
me a bid sad to hear of production beginning on a remake.
However, Edgar Wright is involved, and that is promising.
“That’s
a terrible idea”
“The
next great QB”
Have you checked
out Bob’s books lately? He’s released twelve to date—essays,
travel, sports and interviews—with all twelve currently available
in paperback and Kindle editions.
Several online booksellers
carry his titles. We suggest heading to Amazon, as they are
the one stop where we can guarantee availability of all titles
and can also offer information about the Kindle editions.
Here’s where you
can learn more:
Writing
& Books here at In My Backpack
Bob’s
author page at Amazon
Also, we’re slowly
beginning to add a presence on Instagram. If you would like
to follow us on social media—and THANK YOU
for that—here are some of the direct links to our pages…
In
My Backpack
at Facebook
Time
Just Drifts Away
at Facebook
@bobinmybackpack
at Twitter
bobinmybackpack
at Instagram
Each and every follow,
share of a post, and positive comment from our social media
pages… and every purchase of one of Bob’s books… comes with
our tremendous appreciation, plus the naming of a rainbow in
your honor. (So, you’ll have that to enjoy.)
Don’t
miss out on the brilliant Resident Alien.
If you haven’t been watching, there are still some ways to catch
up, including free on the network’s web site. But episode one
leaves next week… so get it done. The show, writing, cast and
crew… all outstanding.
I’m really sorry
to hear that Truth
Seekers
seems to have been cancelled. (It actually
is cancelled according to all sources. But everything has a
slim chance at being saved until it doesn’t. Unfortunately,
I just don’t see where any notes are being made about trying
to find a new group to continue production.) Was it a great
show? Actually, no. It was really good, with a solid foundation
put in place to build upon. It did have some very strong moments,
great twists, and solid efforts. Where it was good, it was VERY
good. The BRILLIANT part was the cast and the potential. I truly
believe a second or third season (and, fingers crossed, more)
would have allowed this group to really grow and develop into
something special.
Disney… Emma Stone…
dalmatians… twisted version of “Who’s sorry now?”… Cruella
is looking good.
“Climbing
the walls”
“When
whiskey just won’t do”
“Do
you always follow the rules?”
Are you signed up
to receive A
Parkside View? It’s the monthly newsletter
from Bob… and in a way, it’s also all things Backpackville.
Each issue contains
at least two essays, along with news from around The ‘ville.
That’s the minimum, with most issues containing three or more
essays. And, every issue will always have at least one essay
one making its debut on the pages of A Parkside View
and one drawn from the attic of the web site and Bob’s files,
referred to as a From the Backpack piece.
In March we’ll be
celebrating the anniversary of the In My Backpack web
site, with three new essays planned. All you need to do to receive
it is ask. Each edition of A Parkside View is free.
Just send us an e-mail (or a message on our social media pages)
and we’ll get you signed up.
Don’t miss another
issue. There are no excuses. SIGN UP NOW!!!
Valkyrie
has arrived on the Thor set. Marvel continues
moving ahead with some incredible casts for upcoming projects.
In addition to announcing
a somewhat shortened season would be its last, Brooklyn
Nine-Nine
is currently planning on delaying its final
bows for a bit. Sounds like it may not be back until next year’s
season. This actually shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as cast
members had been saying that the events from 2020 really shifted
the way the writers, cast and crew were approaching the next
episodes. This show has been leading the charges on many fronts
over the years, and taking a bit of time to thoughtfully approach
things seems like a nod in the right direction for some powerful
statements in the last lap of episodes.
Hmm… a
study into Stonehenge seems to be presenting
an argument that some of the stones were used previously in
a different structure, and may have been brought to the current
site essentially as a way of taking the monument with the people
as they moved.
Coca-Cola is researching
a paper bottle. Company goals are pushing
for a zero-waste-level within ten years.
I don’t want to
dive too deeply into this rabbit hole, but my mind is connecting
a few different dots. UNIQLO
is closing a store in San Francisco. Article
discusses a bit about how tourism declines over the past several
months have been leading to several business closures. I first
became aware of UNIQLO as a result of their store in Orlando
in Disney Springs, which—follow the line—is a massive tourist
destination. Leaves me wondering a bit about how businesses
that have set up brick and mortar locations where at least some
thought is given to tourism are adjusting to the new environments
and challenges.
“Here’s
how we play”
“The
fields are different this year”
“A
welcome surprise”
“The
best in every state”
“Just
because it bothers you…”
Four essays to share
today, including the first of my promised surprises… we’ve got
a return of travel material to the web site.
Work is moving along
on a new travel collection, which is going to feature two trips
that have never been shared previously (and are set to only
appear in the book). Another part of that effort will be the
2013 adventure where Terry and I met up with my sister, Kris.
Today’s post, from days 6 and 7 of that visit to the Pacific
Northwest region, becomes the first travel article appearing
in Backpackville since late 2018.
I’m going to stop
counting for a bit, but somehow we’ve already managed to get
ahead of the one-per-day rate I was tinkering with. Was not
expecting that to happen this month.
A
Parkside View is out for February.
If you haven’t, take a moment to check out more information
and consider signing up to receive it. Each issue contains a
minimum of two essays, with at least one appearing for the first
time anywhere on its pages.
Summer
of Soul
is bringing an amazing event… one deserving
of incredible recognition, but often overlooked… to audiences.
Make sure you look for this documentary about the 1969 Harlem
Cultural Festival.
Word on the street
is that Willem
Dafoe has been seen on the set of the next
Spider-Man film.
And here are the
new efforts…
“Experiencing
Seattle and the Great Northwest ~ Bob and Terry on Tour 2013,
with Kris ~ Days Six and Seven”
“Who
else will give them their business?”
“Completely
oblivious”
“Is
being productive counterproductive?”
We’ll be back in
a few days. Stay safe, have some fun, and we’ll see you soon.
I
had planned to approach February as a bit of a no plans, catch
up on everything month. Something of a bridge of sorts… getting
me from the rush of 2020 and solid start of 2021 to the anniversary
of the web site and development of a few projects. Organizing
the chaos comes to mind as a better description.
I
was not planning to continue with the essay-per-day-average
approach that January had. Then the calendar rolled over and
I had a draft of an essay about finished and most immediate
demands under control. I also had a handful of essays started.
So
here we are, day three of February… two new pieces to post
today… and we’ve got three essays in place already this month.
Hmm…
I might—stress the might—make it an effort to keep the pace
up this month. Look for the links closing out today’s entry.
Keep checking back to see how we’re doing around The ‘ville.
Our
only outside links for today involve a massive cuteness break
for you… two videos of pandas playing in the snow. First from
the BBC
and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Second,
from the
Toronto Zoo. Awesome.
Here
are the new pieces…
“Not
too good for you”
“I
can’t read my own writing, and it’s frustrating as hell”
Hoping to bring
back a few things this month, but I’m going to need to wait
on sharing the details. Too much in the really early stages
of development, and nothing close enough to promise anything
is actually in motion and moving along.
The latest edition
of A
Parkside View is out and making the
rounds. This month’s issue features two new essays. If you haven’t
signed up for it, remember: It’s free and it contains exclusive
content that has never been released previously.
If you’re not watching
Resident Alien, start now. Right
now. Do not miss it, the first episode was brilliant.
Interesting interview
with Ron Mael, Russel Mael and Edgar Wright about the
new documentary The Sparks Brothers.
And to wrap up the
start of the new month, here’s a new essay…
“Is
it snowing? Get the lawn mower ready…”
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