Random stuff from me.

Texting

People used to talk to each other, but technology is putting an end to that.

When the telephone was invented, people could talk to friends and family down the street, in another state, or on the other side of the planet. Tightly knit communities began to unravel. Instead of playing with the neighborhood kids, children would talk to their friends down the street or across town. When I was younger, I spent more time on the phone with my friends than I did actually hanging out with them outside of school. It was normal. Real human interaction was taking a small hit, but people would still TALK to one another. (more…)

By Jeff, ago

The Birth of Home Run Derby

My friend Rob and I played on our high school varsity baseball team. “Played” might be a stretch—we mostly rode the bench all season. One humid summer evening in Houston, desperate for our baseball fix, we grabbed a plastic bat and ball and started, headed out to the street in front of my house, and started pitching to each other. We made a game of hitting the ball over a light pole. And just like that, Home Run Derby was born. (more…)

By Jeff, ago

Letter to Steve Martin

After watching L.A. Story and finding numerous parallels between Steve Martin’s character and myself, I decided to write him a letter. I’d always been a big fan, and I thought that a personal story might be a good way to connect with him. On his web site, it says that letters to him should be filled with tons of praise, so I crafted my letter accordingly. (more…)

By Jeff, ago

The Day I Won a Car

When I was younger, one of my favorite ways to pass the time was entering contests and sweepstakes. I entered every contest I could find in magazines and newspapers. Whenever we got those Publishers Clearing House letters from Ed McMahon, I’d dutifully fill them out and send them off. In stores, I’d always fill out raffle forms. Then I’d promptly forget about them. I never won anything except more junk mail. (more…)

By Jeff, ago