Simanaitis Says

On cars, old, new and future; science & technology; vintage airplanes, computer flight simulation of them; Sherlockiana; our English language; travel; and other stuff

Author Archives: simanaitissays

PROGRAMMIC ADVERTISING—BENEFICIAL OR A BANE?

HOW DO YOU feel about programmic advertising? At this point I am of two minds, though I’m occasionally creeped-out when my computer or cellphone seems to know what I really, … Continue reading

December 28, 2018 · 8 Comments

A SENTIMENTAL (AND TASTY) JOURNEY

RAIL TRIPS HAVE been known to offer culinary adventures. There’s the elegance of the Orient Express, the glamor of the Santa Fe Super Chief, the history of the Trans-Siberian Railway, … Continue reading

December 27, 2018 · 2 Comments

BEGONE, YE AULD SOD

ELIMINATING PEAT from the Irish energy picture sounds more than a little heretical. But even Ireland’s Bord na Móna, its state-owned peat harvesting and energy company, is in favor of … Continue reading

December 26, 2018 · 1 Comment

PIÑATA TIDBITS—CELEBRATING LAS POSADAS

LAS POSADAS, Spanish: “the inns,” celebrates the Nativity and humble birthplace of Christ. These nine days, from December 16 through 24, traditionally involve the breaking of piñatas, papier-mâché objects containing … Continue reading

December 24, 2018 · Leave a comment

CHRISTMAS OPERAS PART 2

THE OPERA AIN’T OVER… until we wish each other a Merry Christmas! And here’s Part 2, following yesterday’s Part 1. Today’s Christmas operas include one of Russian folklore, one that’s … Continue reading

December 23, 2018 · Leave a comment

CHRISTMAS OPERAS PART 1

ONE OF MY OPERA T-shirts reads “Murder, Treachery, Adultery, and Incest—All Sung to your Favorite Tunes.” In marked contrast, and what with the approaching holiday, I went looking for operas … Continue reading

December 22, 2018 · Leave a comment

“THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON” TO HOLMES PART 2

YESTERDAY IN PART 1, we shared eminent Sherlockian Christopher Morley’s observations about two classic tales having Christmas settings: Holmes’ “Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” and Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Today … Continue reading

December 21, 2018 · 2 Comments

“THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON” TO HOLMES PART 1

IT WAS ON Friday, December 27, 1889, that Sherlockian chronicler Dr. John H. Watson visited Holmes at 221 B Baker Street and wished him “the compliments of the season.” Today … Continue reading

December 20, 2018 · Leave a comment

GREMLIN TIDBITS PART 2

TODAY’S TIDBIT COLLECTION traces back to Roald Dahl’s book about gremlins described two days ago at SimanaitisSays, continued yesterday with ”Gremlin Tidbits Part 1.” Actually, though, all this began a … Continue reading

December 19, 2018 · 3 Comments

GREMLIN TIDBITS PART 1

YESTERDAY AT SimanaitisSays, we talked about Roald Dahl and his dealings with Walt Disney, which culminated with the book The Gremlins. Today and tomorrow, in a continuation of this theme, … Continue reading

December 18, 2018 · Leave a comment