There is no question that last year was weird. Weird when the Reds made the playoffs after such a long wait. Unfortunately normality returned when we could not score a single run during those playoffs. The hope, of course, is that the team has finally gotten strong enough to contend and that we get another … Continue reading The Cincinnati Reds begin their 2021 campaign today!
Author: walterthinnes
Opening Night for the Old Library Theatre 10th Annual One-Act Play Festival
It is hard to find fresh theatre events during this pandemic. As a playwright, pickings are thin but I submitted my recent short play, 2020 - A Perfect Year for Magical Thinking to the Old Library Theatre in Fairlawn, New Jersey. 107 scripts were received and 12 finalists were selected. The theatre gave those dozen … Continue reading Opening Night for the Old Library Theatre 10th Annual One-Act Play Festival
Tickets for the Old Library Theatre production of my short play…
I'm afraid I've been a baaaaad blogger. Been busy personally and also spent some time writing plays. I've not even found the time to read other blogs I enjoy, so will try to make more time for that as well. Meanwhile information has been released for for the live streaming production of my short play … Continue reading Tickets for the Old Library Theatre production of my short play…
Martin Luther King Day 2021
In times more fractured since the 60's (not sure if that means 1960's or 1860's), the day commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. arrives with more pertinent lessons than ever. You will find much good writing about his life and lessons. Why not take some time to read lessons by him? I have several in my … Continue reading Martin Luther King Day 2021
Sedition Edition
I tend to use this blog for lightweight topics such as food, theatre and silly National Day commemorations. But sometimes, well sometimes, I need to address more serious topics. From the Oxford English Dictionary: seditionsedition /sɪˈdɪʃ(ə)n /▸ noun [mass noun] conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a government.– ORIGIN late Middle … Continue reading Sedition Edition
First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
I've covered Manhattanhenge many times on this blog in the past. You can search the blog to find out the scientific detail but essentially it is the dates where the rising or setting sun perfectly aligns with the cross streets of Manhattan. Tomorrow is a rising sun date so set your alarm to be able … Continue reading First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
One of my short plays is in the 10th Annual Barrington Stage 10×10 Festival
I am thrilled to announce that my short play "Happy Birthday, Leonard" will be included in the Barrington Stage Company 10x10 New Play Festival. Barrington Stage in Pittsfield, Massachusetts is a major regional theatre of great renown. I couldn't be more happy. The festival will be streamed which means even if you are not close … Continue reading One of my short plays is in the 10th Annual Barrington Stage 10×10 Festival
Happy New Year 2021
May you have a happy and loving and prosperous New Year. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
The last day of 2020
I do not know of anyone who will not be happy to have 2020 behind us. It has been a year of pain and struggle and stupidity in measures heretofore unknown. Manmade dates are somewhat arbitrary in the scheme of the Creator. But this year has been a compacted, concentrated, dumpster fire of an event. … Continue reading The last day of 2020
Bacon Day! Bacon Day! Bacon Day!
Today is Bacon Day and I don't mean Kevin. Enjoy your bacon all year long and share it on social media today with the hashtag #BaconDay. Bacon improves anything and is my favorite food group. Some people choose not to eat bacon and I respect that. It just means more bacon left for me! Happy … Continue reading Bacon Day! Bacon Day! Bacon Day!
Merry Christmas 2020
Merry Christmas. May you and your family celebrate this very special day in the spirit of the season and not in gutter this year has become. May we find a better 2021. We need it more than ever. Merry Christmas. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Throwback Thursday – My Evergreen Express inspiration
For this Throwback Thursday post - a Christmas memory. I was part of the team that opened the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples Florida in 1989 (it has since been rebranded as Artis-Naples). It is still my favorite theatre of all times and enjoys strong support (including lots of contributions from wealthy individuals … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – My Evergreen Express inspiration
Winter Solstice 2020
Our ancestors were not distracted by streaming services and smart phones. They were much more focused on natural phenomenons. They charted stars and measured closely the rising and setting sun. Before they understood the tilting of the earth on its axis they knew. The winter solstice was the longest night and shortest day of the … Continue reading Winter Solstice 2020
The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
2020 has been a pretty horrific year. Hundreds of thousands of Americans dying, cities and live audience events shut down and economic stresses not seen in decades. And yet, I have found one significant bright spot in this most difficult of times. SantaCon has been cancelled. If you are not aware, this misguided event is … Continue reading The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
I still miss John Lennon
Forty years ago today John Lennon was shot as he returned to his home at The Dakota building in Manhattan as he returned from a recording session. It is a loss I still feel strongly today. John's focus on peace, love and unity were cruelly taken away from the world. Today my playlist will be … Continue reading I still miss John Lennon
National Cotton Candy Day
The spun sugar treat we call Cotton Candy was invented centuries ago but was popularized at the 1904 Worlds fair marketed as Fairy Floss. It has been raising glucose levels ever since at carnivals, circuses and ballparks ever since. In the 1950's a home version was introduced to send your children into sugar shock and … Continue reading National Cotton Candy Day
National Roof Over Your Head Day
Today is #RoofOverYourHeadDay and is intended to remind us to be grateful for what you have, starting with the simple things like a roof over your head. So many struggle because of the hard times this country and the world find themselves in. While I have my own challenges in this department, I am grateful … Continue reading National Roof Over Your Head Day
November 22, 1963
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy shocked the nation and quickly led to a conspiracy industry that still thrives today. To mark the occasion I have read three disparate books over the last few months and offer quick mini-reviews of each. Sinatra and the Jack Pack by Michael Sheridan is a breezy read of … Continue reading November 22, 1963
My newest short play will have a performance in February 2021!
A few weeks ago I noted that my new play "2020 - A Perfect Year for Magical Thinking" was a finalist for The Old Library Theatre's 10th Annual One Act Play Festival in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. My script was one of a dozen plays selected from 107 submitted. The producer made those twelve scripts … Continue reading My newest short play will have a performance in February 2021!
Book Review: Longitude…
The full title of this book is "Longitude: The true story of a lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time" by Dava Sobel. A long title for a relatively short book. Ms. Sobel has written a fascinating and very readable book. First remember that before GPS and satellite guidance sailors had … Continue reading Book Review: Longitude…
National Princess Day
For decades, nay centuries, little girls have been encouraged to dream of and dress up as little princesses. It was extremely unrealistic that any of them would ever meet a prince, let alone live a storybook life. Along the way it taught them to give up agency and wait to be rescued. Various animation houses … Continue reading National Princess Day
No Knead to celebrate National Home Bread Day
During recent lockdowns some people reveled in discovering sourdough bread and banana bread recipes. You can find many sourdough and banana bread recipes on this blog. But maybe you are one of the many people who find bread too challenging and have no need to knead. Good news, here is a recipe for No-Knead Bread. … Continue reading No Knead to celebrate National Home Bread Day
Friday the 13th 2020
Today is Friday, November 13, 2020. A Friday the 13th in 2020. I'm not superstitious. Nope, not me. After all, the 13th day of a month falling on a Friday is a statistically normal phenomenon. It happens two or three times each year. It is just a coincidence, not an omen. 2020 has already had … Continue reading Friday the 13th 2020
It is difficult to be a writer in today’s world
I'm working on several projects at the moment. But I have a nagging fear how they will be received. Let's imagine I am writing about a sitting president who sends his personal attorney to give a press conference disputing election results in Pennsylvania. And for the sake of argument, perhaps this sitting president sends a … Continue reading It is difficult to be a writer in today’s world
National Parents as Teachers Day as never before imagined
Back in 2001, when this National Day was established, it was imagined as a resource for parents augmenting the teaching of their children. Sort of a PTA outreach service. During this pandemic it has become so much more and parents have taken over an entire new role in this difficult age. Thanks to all of … Continue reading National Parents as Teachers Day as never before imagined