Some jerk in Iowa writes: Dear Conlan, I have something to ask you. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. What I want to ask is this: do you think some people are mean? Your Friend, Some jerk Some, I’m glad you took the time to write. Because if you didn’t take the [...]
A few months ago, I saw The Hot Toddies perform at a local watering hole (figure of speech)[1]. The Oakland-based, all-girl quartet plays an ironic mix of twee surf-pop, girl-group beach party, retro-inspired philspectorism[2]. But the Splenda-sweet melodies and truly brilliant multi-part harmonies are belied by the absurdist and cynical lyrics, ranging in topic from [...]
If you’re just joining us, this is The Complete History of The Con: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Now we continue… After a moment, I grabbed my old-fashioned leather suitcase and joined Laverne at the truck stop counter. Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “Where did he pick up an old-fashioned [...]
You may recall that last year I frequented a local Starbucks under the pseudonym Tom G. Whiffler[1]. Then one day Starbucks annoyed me and I decided to drive 10 miles to an independent coffeeplace, and I never looked back (figure of speech). So, for the last six or seven months I’ve been going to this [...]