Sunday night is Hollywood’s annual tribute to narcissism, hedonism and voyeurism known as the Academy Awards. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have only watched the Oscars a couple of times in my whole life, and I don’t think I’ve ever watched a complete broadcast. I have no plans to watch it this year. Depending … Continue reading Southern Oscars
Tag: contemporary South
More than a day
It wasn’t that long ago that a birthday was just that – a day. In the New South, however, we celebrate a person’s birthday for many, many days. I have a theory about why this is: It takes us longer to celebrate birthdays now because of geographic dispersion of family, over-stuffed schedules and the vicious … Continue reading More than a day
An encounter with the irascible Dr. Sams
Dr. Ferrol Sams died this week at the age of 90. If you don’t know who he is, then shame on you. He might have said something to the effect of “You ain’t got a lick-a-sense if you’ve never read my books.” The author of “Run With the Horsemen,” “The Whisper of the River” and … Continue reading An encounter with the irascible Dr. Sams
Absolute power
Every January since 2008, I have been participating in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby, a diabolical scheme in which a young boy and his dad are supposed to transform a 1.25-by-1.75-by- 7-inch block of wood into a 5-ounce vehicle capable of speeds up to 140 miles per hour. If you are an engineer or a … Continue reading Absolute power
That other Lance
If an electric current pulses through a device in your home or pocket, you have been inundated with the confessions of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong this week. With a given name like “Lance,” it’s impossible for me to escape the iconic figure who once stood for so much more than a sport. The similarities are myriad: … Continue reading That other Lance
Here’s to you, January birthday person
Conventional wisdom is that folks with December birthdays have it the worst. Their special day gets lost in the run up to Christmas, and those with Dec. 25-31 birthdays are completely overshadowed. I think we have a contender for most under-appreciated birthday month people: that would be the January folks. After looking at our calendar for the … Continue reading Here’s to you, January birthday person
The gift of a time machine
Programming note: For nearly two years, New South Essays has been published on Friday mornings. Because of my job change, I’m finding that Saturdays are working better. I hope you’ll stick with me as I move to Saturdays. To ensure that you never miss a weekly post, click the email subscription link on the right. … Continue reading The gift of a time machine
Orlando beckons
In less than an hour on Interstate 75 the week after Christmas and it becomes abundantly clear that the entire population of the Eastern and Midwestern United States along with a great portion of Canada is heading to Central Florida. The mass migration is led by the exodus of Atlantans, fleeing the onset of a … Continue reading Orlando beckons
An unexpected journey
When Barron and Harris piled into the back of the new Hyundai, eager to ride with Daddy after another great meal at Los Hermanos, they had no idea we weren’t following Carla home. We had already had a pretty good day. It was one of those rare days when Carla and Carlton still had preschool, … Continue reading An unexpected journey
Ruining Christmas
Children are prone to hyperbole. I understand this. Overstated pronouncements barely even move the needle on my parental reaction seismograph. But last weekend I encountered a new psychological phenomenon that both amused and confounded me. Let me paint the picture for you: Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, our family goes to breakfast and … Continue reading Ruining Christmas
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