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‘Supermarket Sweep’ went off air but never left our hearts
“The next time you’re at a checkout counter and you hear that beep…” Beep beep! If you were a kid living in America during the ‘90s, it was almost impossible to avoid the above words, the iconic line that signaled closing time for each episode of Supermarket Sweep, the popular game show that premiered on…
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Belated thanksgivings
This year, I’m very thankful for health, home, love, friends and family — blood, four-legged and especially chosen, near and far. But I’m especially thankful for free HBO preview weekends, specifically The Leftovers, Justin Theroux and his perfect facial structure, The Comeback and an uncanny look into a time-mirror at future-me (Mickey Deane) and Getting On and…
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No, I’m not your bear. Why words matter and self-identification must be respected (Goddamnit).
It wasn’t long ago that I was walking on the Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin, on the way to the wedding reception of two good friends with my partner. When we’d almost reached the venue, I noticed a truck had slowed down to a stop and a window was being rolled down. “Cute bears!” the…
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2011 in music: Favorite albums and live shows
It’s now (beyond) time for my annual listing of favorite music from the previous year. Though countless others have taken on the task of somewhat arbitrarily ranking their favorite songs from the previous year, I still deeply enjoy the challenge of acknowledging full albums worth of work that were truly excellent (in my mind). Sure,…
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A beardy challenge
I love November. First, there’s the change of season — often as harsh as it is lovely and unpredictable. And there’s also my birthday, which arrives on the 3rd of the month. But, in recent years I’ve also come to love the trend of “No Shave November” mustache and/or beard campaigns. As a not-particularly-athletic person…
joe erbentraut 