Category: Politics, Religion & Money

Shredding my past away

I got started on a major shredding project, getting rid of ancient bills, and of course my old, toy-quality shredder died. Most of the new models I looked at weren’t right for the space I have, then I found the Fellowes P-12C for $80 at BJ’s Warehouse.

Sorting old magazines and comic books takes a lot of time, because I end up reading and remembering, but I was surprised that old bank statements have something of the same effect on me. This is a summary of my checking and savings accounts in August, 1984.

The deposits included business travel reimbursements, because I didn’t have a company credit card. The savings account is interesting. I had less than $1500 (about $3200, adjusted for inflation) and on that I earned over $6 interest. My savings account is much more substantial now, but it doesn’t earn that much in a year, even unadjusted for inflation; but, as you can see, the gain in ’84 was offset by the monthly fee for the checking account.

Follow-up: The shredder died in 2019, having seen only occasional light use.

Crime boss caught!

Big, big news in Boston, with the capture of James “Whitey” Bulger, hiding in plain sight in Santa Monica, CA.

Follow-up: More details are coming out. Apparently, Whitey made a couple of slip-ups. First, he was the only one yelling in Santa Monica when the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, then he tweeted, “going to Costco to buy a 3-pack of v-neck tees.” 😉

Further follow-up: It’s confirmed that Bulger was lured out of his apartment with a Bruins championship cap. He’s lived there since at least 1999, and it’s across the street from an FBI training center! 😉

More further follow-up: I don’t get it. I think Bulger and Greig look great! Obviously, retirement has agreed with them. Why all the talk about Whitey not being well?

Stephen Colbert returns to my birthplace

I’m certain the reason Stephen Colbert attended Northwestern University was because it’s in Evanston, Illinois, where I was born. That’s what I told Colbert when I saw him in New York in 2007, and he agreed with me.

Colbert gave this year’s commencement speech at Northwestern. Here are edited highlights…

Alumnus Stephen Colbert Addresses the Class of 2011 from Northwestern News on Vimeo.

… and this is the whole thing.

Colbert hams it up at Lincoln Center

Thursday night we were in an audience of 10-12, who saw a “special event” at the movies — Stephen Sondheim’s Company, featuring Stephen Colbert, Neil Patrick Harris, and Christina Hendricks. I would hope the showings at theaters closer to cities have been better attended.

Company is 40 years old, and although the show’s themes may be timeless I think its age shows, and I could tell it was written by members of my parents’ generation. Considering that Sondheim was probably working on Company while Woodstock was happening, it’s an interesting contrast to the musicals of the day that have a more obvious hippie influence, such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell.

Although I may not be taken with the show itself, the cast obviously had a great time and their enthusiastic performances are what make Company worth seeing. Harris seems to have taken over from Nathan Lane as Broadway’s standard bearer, and he carries his lead role with ease, but Colbert and Hendricks are also excellent. Chryssie Whitehead, who is adorable as Kathy and dynamic in a stand-out dance number, merits special recognition.

Colbert was on Fresh Air with Terry Gross this week to talk about Company, among other things. It’s always fun to hear Stephen conversing when he’s out of character.