Category Archives: Commentary

Not a Good Sign

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Tom Garrett

Sometime in December, I found one of those “do-not-disturb”-style signs hanging from my doorknob. It had a lengthy message explaining that work crews would be in the area to replace / improve certain components in our local gas system. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News | Tagged Commentary, Gas, General Culture and News, Humor | Leave a comment

Where Does WWE Go From Here?

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Tom Garrett

“Twitter friend” Matthew Timmons authors a must-read website for wrestling fans called kafabermetrics (a play on “Sabermetrics”) in which he dutifully tracks statistical information based on the performances of the various WWE superstars. Like a Bill James for the squared-circle set, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Sports, Television | Tagged Batista, Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar, Commentary, Daniel Bryan, Elimination Chamber, John Cena, Kayfabermetrics, Matthew Timmons, Pro Wrestling, Professional Wrestling, Randy Orton, Sports, Television, WrestleMania, WrestleMania XXX, WWE | 3 Comments

Anti-Bullying / Anti-Free-Speech Redux

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Tom Garrett

I wrote a piece last August arguing that new anti-bullying laws would inevitably lead to the enforcement of such provisions butting up against First Amendment rights. In it, I wrote: Several potential problems with the policy became clear rather quickly. … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News | Tagged Commentary, Education, Free Speech, General Culture and News, Hartsville High School, HSConfessionsSC, The First Amendment | 1 Comment

The Tonight Show’s Forgotten Host

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Tom Garrett

Jimmy Fallon’s ascension to the Tonight Show throne – even if that chair doesn’t have the luster it once did – is imminent. With the Winter Olympics looming, NBC has begun promoting the new Tonight Show heavily. Two things have jumped out … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Television | Tagged Commentary, Conan O'Brien, Ernie Kovacs, Jay Leno, Jimmy Fallon, Johnny Carson, NBC, Television, The Tonight Show | 10 Comments

Lucky

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Tom Garrett

As I was doing my grocery shopping in Ukrop’s Martin’s two weeks ago, I noticed an elderly woman in the produce department who seemed to be struggling. What caught my attention was the fact that she looked like she was … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged Commentary, Helpfulness, Introspection, The Elderly | 4 Comments

The Great Leap Forward

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Tom Garrett

Hype (or, more accurately, over-hype) is an integral part of the business of professional wrestling. Perhaps a nod to its carnival roots, the overzealous promotion of the next top talent, important card, or story development is the lifeblood of the industry. … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Television | Tagged Commentary, MLB.TV, Television, Vince McMahon, WWE, WWE Network | 1 Comment

Nice Try

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Tom Garrett

I received a mailer recently that advertised a new miracle advance in hearing aid technology. Yes, hearing aid technology. Now, despite my rapidly advancing age, I’m not remotely old enough to fit into the key demographic for people with hearing problems. … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Gaming | Tagged Commentary, Gaming, Hearing Aids, Humor, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 4, Nanomachines, Nanotechnology, Solid Snake | Leave a comment

Best of 2013

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Tom Garrett

I wasn’t quite as prolific in 2013 as I was in 2012, as this will be “only” the 72nd post on this blog this year. However, part of that had to do with the fact that I’ve been writing for … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News, Site Stuff | Tagged 2013, Antonin Scalia, Best Of, Bullying, Commentary, Free Speech, General Culture and News, Improvised Shakespeare Company, Mark Henry, Offensiveness, Patrick Stewart, Professional Wrestling, Site Stuff, Washington Redskins, WWE | Leave a comment

An Event of Unexpected Importance

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Tom Garrett

When wrestling fans scour the television landscape in anticipation of pivotal moments in WWE history, the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs pay-per-view isn’t the top candidate to produce such moments. That’s an understatement. TLC is a “gimmick” pay-per-view, built around a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Sports, Television | Tagged Bray Wyatt, CM Punk, Commentary, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Dean Ambrose, HHH, John Cena, Kane, Professional Wrestling, Randy Orton, Sports, Stephanie McMahon, Tables Ladders and Chairs, Television, The Shield, TLC, WWE | Leave a comment

An Incomplete List of Words in Chicago’s “If She Would Have Been Faithful”

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Tom Garrett

As something of an 80s music aficionado (for better and for worse), I have probably heard Chicago’s “If She Would Have Been Faithful” at least 100 times in my life. I’m not bragging about that. Just stating it as a … Continue reading →