End Of My Blog Sabbatical
by Steve West on July 5, 2008
Just came back from my local town's (Bowie, MD) fireworks display. For such a small town they really do a good job. This is really saying something where the fireworks show right next door (Washington DC's) Fireworks on the Mall gets national coverage. Although the show in Washington did get Jerry Lee Lewis out of his rocking chair and sing Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and Great Balls Of Fire while playing the piano, of course. Although the lyrics sound slightly creepy coming out of his septuagenarian yap. "Shake it baby, shake." Sounds like he's asking for his pureed peaches to be mixed a little. And 3 miles down the road is Six Flags where owner Dan Snyder (also owner of the Washington Redskins football team) puts on quite a show. Driving home from our quaint by comparison show, we could see the Six Flags show but Washington is a little distant (10 miles in a straight line). But still, a satisfying show that my daughters adored.
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »
Dog Lovers Unite
Recent conversation with Brenda: Me: I watched the neighbor's dog for an hour the other day. Brenda: That was nice of you. Me: I let him off the leash and a cop came up to me a few minutes later and said my dog has been seen chasing a guy on a bicycle. Go »Stuff Happening
Brenda and I have placed a bid on a little house in Bowie about a mile from where we currently reside. It keeps the children in the same school district and keeps us in the little town we've grown to love. Closing is set for a month from now on Friday of Labor day weekend so it gives us three days to move furniture and settle in. Go »The Texas Chili Cook-Off
Recently, at a Bowie Baysox baseball game, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a Texas chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last minute, and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans, probably) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy; and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge #3. Go »Book Autopsies
An artist named Brian Dettmer has a unique talent, at least I've never seen anything like it. Book autopsies in which he pares books to various levels and displays portions of their contents, words and illustrations, for an interesting perspective. Very clever. Go »Oscars 2012
Now that I can make no further changes to my picks, I'd like to hear about the categories people wrestled with most. I struggled most with costume, documentary and even adapted screenplay. Goodl luck everyone! Go »
