MATHS, MUSIC—AND ACROSTICS
FULL DISCLOSURE: I HAVE A PH.D. IN MATHEMATICS, which the British charmingly refer to as “maths.” But I confess to only a vague understanding of musical composition. And, with an … Continue reading
BEN FRANKLIN’S WISDOM
ADAM LIPTAK POSITS “WERE THE CONSTITUTION’S AUTHORS a Little Too Optimistic?,” The New York Times. The article’s subhead: “The nation’s founding document has a blind spot. Trump is making it … Continue reading
IDENTIFYING AN OBSCURE EXAMPLE OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
SO THERE I WAS, ON AN ERRAND of something or other, listening to SiriusXM “40s Junction.” As usual, I was delighting in The Great American Songbook, a topic appearing here … Continue reading
THOUGHTS ON MEMORIAL DAY 2026
ON THIS RECENT MEMORIAL DAY, I celebrated Norman Corwin, lamented the demise of CBS, and ridiculed/pitied Trump. Here are tidbits gleaned from all these. NORMAN CORWIN’S FINE CONTRIBUTIONS. Known as … Continue reading
THE AVIATOR REVISITED, RECALLED, WITH MATHEMATICAL WHIMSY PART 2
YESTERDAY, A RECENT REVIEWING OF The Aviator included my own encounters with Howard Hughes’ aircraft. We continue here in Part 2 with a Hercules H-4 fantasy, a “Guy and Doll” … Continue reading
THE AVIATOR—REVISITED, RECALLED, WITH MATHEMATICAL WHIMSY PART 1
IT TURNS OUT HOWARD HUGHES IS A FAMILIAR FIGURE here at SimanaitisSays and, surely, I’ve seen The Aviator, 2004, at least once before its recent showing on Turner Classic Movies. … Continue reading
THE MOBSTER’S NEW SCHEMES
WERE THIS A 1930S MOBSTER FLICK, it would be absurd but entertaining. But, instead, it’s the warped reality of Trump the Don, his consigliere Todd Blanche, and others of his … Continue reading
ROUND, BLACK, STICKY—AND ARTFUL (REDUX)
’WAY BACK WHEN SIMANAITISSAYS WAS YOUNG, “Round, Black, Sticky—And Artful,” April 7, 2014, celebrated the Discount Tire Company’s collection of poster art. Indeed, I visited its headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. … Continue reading
IN PRAISE OF THE COMMON PART 2
THE THEME OF GENTLE CONVENTIONALITY echoes in our review of the British flick This Happy Breed. Its time capsule continues here in Part 2 as the Gibbons family settles in … Continue reading
IN PRAISE OF THE COMMON PART 1
BEING THE ANGLOPHILE I AM—SHAKESPEARE, MARLOWE, Morgans, Dellows, and White Stilton with Apricots—I was attracted to Turner Classic Movies’ recent showing of This Happy Breed. This Happy Breed, based on … Continue reading
