In November 1932, publisher David Smart and editor Arnold Gingrich sought to create a magazine that focused on “masculine interests.” They rejected the names Stag, Beau, and Trim. At a loss, Arnold Gingrich received a letter one morning addressed to Arnold Gingrich, Esq. Arnold liked the sound of the word esquire, and Esquire magazine was born.
Visitors have asked daily about the basement at the Alamo thanks to the 1985 movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” We're grateful for Paul Reubens' unforgettable contribution to pop culture. There is no basement in the Alamo Church, but there is one under our gift shop! Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/nXeph9SnoF
Some months go more quickly than others. This month has been slow.
There are only 30 true IMAX theaters in North America. They are the ones that show movies in 70mm film. Two of those are in Texas. One is in San Antonio and the other is the Cinemark Dallas XD and IMAX off Webb Chapel and LBJ; which has been offering Oppenheimer showtimes as early as 5:50 a.m., or as late as 2:30 a.m. Why? Because Christopher Nolen directed it and said it’s his preferred way to view his new blockbuster. I’m a big Christopher Nolan fan and wanted to watch it that way, but I can’t get in to see it at that theater at a reasonable time. I ended up watching it on one of the smaller IMAX screens. I liked the movie, but based on my initial reaction, it’s not his best work. I think his best work is Interstellar.
Norm Hitzges recently retired from The TICKET. When I heard he was going to do a podcast five days a week, I started to think he hasn’t really retired at all. However, his podcasts, which start in September, will only be five to 30 minutes, never exceeding 30 minutes.
“That’s why I’ve always instructed my children since they were very small, ‘If your mother drops dead tomorrow, before you called 911, call my accountant and make sure the record companies don’t start releasing my records and not telling you where the money is,’” she further explained.
I thought the “United Methodist Church” name/label has been around since the 1800s. It surprised me to learn that it’s only been around since 1968. Yes, I know that Methodists have been around for a long time, but I thought the name of the church was older. I only know this because a girl I’ve been getting to know better is attending an AME church, and that led me down the Wikipedia wormhole trying to figure how why the AME church goes by that name. It turns out Opal Lee attends the same church as my friend. A very close friend and his family went to the AME in Mineral Wells. I visited on one occasion. Before the start of the sermon, the pastor pointed me out as a visitor and asked me to stand up and tell the church about myself.
When I think of Sinead O’Connor, I automatically think of two SNL moments. Of course, everyone remembers her tearing up a picture of the Pope. What I think about is the following show. Joe Pesci hosted and held up the same photo she tore up but pasted together. I wonder if anyone ever kept that, I bet it’s worth a lot.
The second one that comes to mind is a Sinatra Group sketch in which “Frank Sinatra” referred to “Sinead O’Connor” as Uncle Fester, Sinbad O’Connor, and Cueball. I could have sworn he referred to her as “Skinhead O-Connor” but I can’t find it.
Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong are both known for their expanding cheeks while playing the trumpet. Did they ever play together? Why yes they did.
August 2 is going to be my father’s 100th birthday. I just don’t want the day to go by, I want to honor him somehow. Any suggestions?
