A buddy noted with some surprise recently that I use emoticons, and I’ll admit: I’m a fan of the fad. But see, here’s the thing. Emoticons aren’t a fad, or even anything new. Journalists have been using them for decades. Of course, we had fewer to employ back then, when language was a more delicate …
The Contrarian
Damn I miss Jon Stewart. He would be having a field day with the Republicans. Donald Trump continues to trounce the GOP presidential wannabes, despite his tendency to blow your mind straight out of your ass with his racism, chauvinism, and general disdain for anyone not named Donald John Trump. Hell, even his hair …
I was watching an episode of Counting Cars (it’s fascinating, even if I don’t understand half of what they say). This guy was getting a tattoo of the Second Amendment inked over his right shoulder. He mentioned he’d like a tandem car, one with flags, slogans, Constitutional snippets and a Minuteman, flexing like a Mr. Universe contestant, sneering over …
The interesting thing about having the email address sbowles@gmail.com is that you realize how many people are named Bowles. I used to think the surname weird, if not unique. God how I wished my ancestors had dropped the “e” in my last name. I can’t tell you how many times people have read my …
Imagine you call a friend, just to see what’s up. You ask what she’s doing. She explains she’s sitting in a leather chair, sipping almond mocha coffee, jamming to this haunting tune by Chris Cornell. You’re envious, right? Now, put her in bumper to bumper traffic. You’re so glad you’re already at work, right? …
Dear Beck, Morning Phase is terrific. Thanks for making it! I enjoyed pirating it. I debated doing this. I had heard the same, stern lecture from labels, the law and lack-wit fans who told of taking food off the table of artists who live off shekels they make playing notes for a living. Then …
Always have a set of ransom demands. One, it forces you to grapple with life’s inequities and mysteries, to face the unseen-yet-apparent, to reveal how you view the world and, more importantly, how you’d right it. Two, you never know. Hence: Bring back the following words, in the following context: “swell,” as in ‘That’s great,’ …
Technically, this story contains spoilers to a show some unfortunate souls have yet to see. If so, read no further. However, in this Twiteration, any plot point not revealed 30 minutes after a show airs constitutes less a ‘spoiler’ than an ‘archaeological find.’ First, a firm and earnest caveat: I am perhaps the planet’s …
I’ve never been big on ceremony, traditions and resolutions that kick off on a calendar date (though I am considering three New Year’s Resolutions: to take up smoking, gain a little weight and exercise absolute authority at the expense of others; it just takes willpower). But I’ve discovered one of my own. On Christmas …
The Hollywood Bowles 