City Scenes: Jerry’s Records in Squirrel Hill

Jerry’s Records has been on my Pittsburgh to-do list ever since I first arrived in the city many years ago. My personal preferences in urban media spaces tend toward film venues, bookstores, and art galleries. Record stores typically don’t make it on my itinerary. When I was still buying CDs I would make it a … Continue reading City Scenes: Jerry’s Records in Squirrel Hill

A cabin trip prelude in KC

My summer got off to a strong start this year with my only proper vacation travel of the season. For the past several years my sister has invited me out to her in-laws’ Colorado cabin, and I was finally able to accept the invitation this past May. Before making the trek out to the Centennial … Continue reading A cabin trip prelude in KC

Mediated Memories & Nostalgic Obsolescence

I spent much of the spring 2020 early pandemic period like many other people, holed up at home binging streaming content. It’s an interval of the past two years that I recall fondly: having nowhere to go and nothing better to do than consume entire seasons or series of television. During that initial period of … Continue reading Mediated Memories & Nostalgic Obsolescence

A “Late Summer Days” playlist

Today is Labor Day, a holiday that commemorates workers’ movements and serves as a reference point for when it is fashionable to wear white clothing. The date is also considered the unofficial end of summer. This summer flew by. Aside from a couple of quick excursions I stayed local, having one of my most Pittsburgh … Continue reading A “Late Summer Days” playlist

A Summer School Playlist

To commemorate the start of the summer school session, here’s a playlist of songs. I’m deeply indebted to my much-more-musically-inclined-brother-in-law Ben for sharing so much great new music during our time in the mountains this past week (not to mention his generous sharing of his family’s cabin, his inherited collection of audiocassettes, and his love … Continue reading A Summer School Playlist

Take the Movie and Run #1

My partner Caroline and I have launched a new podcast, Take the Movie and Run. We're watching and discussing every film directed by Woody Allen, one at a time and in random order. The tenor of our conversations so far has been irreverent rather than academic. The first episode features the most recent Woody, Café Society. … Continue reading Take the Movie and Run #1