There have been so many amazing and gratifying things about the performance of the Twins over the last month. Most of them have been plenty well documented, but it’s still pretty mindblowing (and mindboggling) all the same. The truth, of course, is that the Twins really should have five All Stars –Francisco Liriano, Justin Morneau, … Read more
As a child he had been hesitant, self-conscious, and frightened of everything, all products of a certain persuasive calamity of the blood, an inbred insecurity that even the constant certainty that he was loved could not entirely vanquish. His response to this crippling insecurity was to act up, and in time, as he grew into … Read more
Johan Santana had a 6.35 earned run average after the season opener, and then proceeded to lower his ERA in nine straight starts. From May 17-28 he suffered a little hiccup –during that span he went from an ERA of 3.23 to 3.47– but since then he has lowered it again in six consecutive starts. … Read more
Gina seems a fine name for an Alfa Romeo. However, I drive a black Spider Veloce that goes by the name of “Fabio.” This car, like all my cars, was named for me. I am not sure that this name has ever hit the mark. I heard that Fabio was gay (after all these years!). … Read more
Happy freakin’ Fourth. I always get so depressed after this holiday, knowing that summer’s about half eaten up. So, while I don’t exactly look forward to this occasion, I do tend to make the most of these final days of sunny summer moods. I will be enjoying a much-needed, four-day hiatus… If you need anything … Read more
You know you’re getting old when, if left in charge of suggesting happenings to the general populace, you end up plugging panel discussions two days straight. But there are many reasons why the WARM and the Feminist Art Movement talk–again, at the Weisman–is of interest to me. First, the old Women’s Art Registry Gallery in … Read more
I am a King Prawn, okay? I will not eat them Mr. Pimp I will not eat those pinky shrimp. I will not eat them set ablaze. I will not eat them in souffles. I will not eat them with a dip. I will not eat them on a chip. I will not eat them … Read more
Celebrating the tenth (or twelfth) anniversary of my exercising the right to abstain from animal dissection in high school biology class, I present to you a discussion at the Weisman Art Museum called “Why We Dissect.” All right, all right… The expert panel won’t be talking grasshoppers and frogs here. (I still gag.) Rather, they’ll … Read more
Superman Returns, 2006. Directed by Bryan Singer, written by Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris. Starring a cast of undead that includes Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, the usually inspired Kevin Spacey, Frank Langella, James Marsden, Parker Posey, Sam Huntington, and, briefly, Eva Marie Saint and the disembodied voice of Marlon Brando. What a movie this new … Read more
Jim Souhan pretty much nailed it. And you know all of this, but it bears repeating nonetheless: The Twins have now won fourteen out of fifteen, and six straight. Nine straight wins at home. Six straight series wins. 12-2 in interleague play. Francisco Liriano is 8-1, with four straight wins. Joe Mauer’s five hits last … Read more