I’ve “had” to spend all afternoon watching May It Last, yet again. So far for this paper I’ve read a lot of @drmoore.bsky.social and listened to a whole lot of #avettbrothers music. The PhD life isn’t all bad.

Are the current @cardinals.com more equivalent to the 1950’s Cards or the 1970’s? Or is this uncharted water?

Goldy has an OPS of 942 & Edman has 5 homers already…sigh

Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff F104 crash YouTube video by Paul Ferkul

My favorite sequence, in my favorite movie, featuring my second favorite musician born in Arkansas.

youtu.be/LQt579381OI?...

So, I’m reading Michel Foucault for the first time as a geriatric PhD student…and I love him. I could blame my conservative evangelical background but it’s on me and my lack of curiosity. Am I postmodern now??? #phdlife

I love it so much that a black man has removed Strom Thurmond from the Senate record book.

@tylerkepner.bsky.social I don’t know if I’ve just missed the stories this spring, but how is the horrible Nike uniform situation this year?

Why We Love to Get Lost in Games: The Enduring Appeal of Metroidvanias The cryptically named genre famed for its labyrinthine 2-D settings is nearly 40 years old and still going strong.

Metroid was one the first games I played all the way through and it was amazing. I always meh on Castlevania.

The “that’s going to be a blast - or a few dozen” line was gold.

Why Willson Contreras added size and is ready to have a blast (or dozens) as 1st baseman With added pounds of strength, no more catching and a feel for his swing, Contreras has put on BP shows. Can his new position unlock heightened production?

I’m still very disgruntled with the @cardinals.com management, but greatly enjoy getting to read @dgoold.bsky.social writing about them every day.

Attacks on Catholics, Lutherans suggest new Trump approach on religion Allies of the president are leveling attacks on religious groups, including Catholics and Lutherans, and questioning their efforts to help migrants.

Can’t wait to see how Mohler and Andrew Walker explain how World Relief & World Vision are a critical threat to the church & the American family. And that President Bush was a communist agent… Monday on The Briefing

www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

Dawes - A Little Bit of Everything (Live from Rhythm & Roots 2011) YouTube video by LiveandBreathing

A hymn for our times

youtu.be/vin0U-ej1L8?...

Oklahoma Moves to Require Schools to Ask Students’ Immigration Status The rule would not block undocumented students from enrolling, but it would supply the Trump administration with information to aid immigration enforcement.

Maybe the president could just require anyone not born in the U.S. to wear a big yellow I on all their clothes. That would simplify things for him. Excepting of course his head of government efficiency.

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/u...

Subzero temps in my crazily built house means using RV antifreeze in one particular bathroom because the builder “forgot” to put insulation in some very critical areas.

I do not enjoy American football at all (note that I call it American football and I’m American), I’m a baseball and real football person. But even I cannot resist Ravens/Bills.

Which party is Dr. Mohler going to be at (not dancing of course because of important SBC beliefs)?

Seems like a “pearls before swine” situation. You’re to intelligent and rational for him.

In this era of having everything to watch all the time, I find myself only watching Top Gear & The Grand Tour on repeat. I think I’ve reached peak middle aged dad status.

Beloved Brewers broadcaster Uecker dies at 90 Longtime Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker has died at the age of 90, the team announced Thursday.

Well, this is a bummer.

www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/...

Richard Hays, 76, Dies; Theologian Who Had Stunning Change of Heart He released a thunderclap into the evangelical world by asserting that a deeper reading of the Bible revealed that same-sex relationships are not sinful.

I’ve been a great admirer of Hays and the genuineness in which he wrote. A certain, blowhard seminary president should not have merited mention in his obituary.

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/u...

Opinion | The Virgin Birth That Maybe Wasn’t The scholar Elaine Pagels discusses her research about ancient accounts suggesting that Jesus’ father might have been a Roman.

I really appreciate the way Kristof engages with religion. Unlike many on the right, he’s always respectful, open, and kind.

www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/o...

Opinion | The Shock of Faith: It’s Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be The word “faith” implies the possession of something, whereas I experience faith as a yearning for something beautiful that I can sense but not fully grasp.

The optimism of Brooks is a good antidote for the cynicism of Brett Stephens.

www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/o...

Opinion | Done With Never Trump There’s plenty to dislike and fear about Trump, but Never Trumpers overstated our case, defeating our purpose.

This seems condescending and willfully ignorant. There have been many voices who decried Clinton’s failings, who also opposed Trump. As a centrist, I don’t expect many voices to represent me, but the arrogant cynicism of Stephens is a definitely a dividing force.

www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/o...

If you were a baseball history fan, this would be the time to ask all your obscure questions.

You know you’ve landed at the right church when you get a Wendell Berry poem and a Robert Putnam book recommendation from the pulpit.

In honor of our incoming Secretary of Health and Human Services, I went and got my first Covid shot in a few years. And a flu shot for good measure. And a Hep B shot just for grins.

But do you think Richie Allen or Dick Allen on first association? As a kid I had baseball cards that said both and because I’m a dummy, didn’t realize it was the same person until I was much older than I should have been. It’s a gut call.

Yet only two of those (1 & 3) worth watching.

Isn’t he Richie Allen as a young Phillie? The name should decide it.

Shouldn’t the Trumpsters at least grudgingly love Taylor for knocking down a cool $2 billion for the Eras Tour? I’m a middle an out of touch middle aged white dad and can recognize her song writing genius, but her capitalism savvy is off the charts.