Atticus   

You know, those things that preceded
laptops, DVDs and TV
If you live in the Atlanta metro (sprawl) area and are one of the four other people in the country besides me who still reads books, you may be interested that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution will be sponsoring Decatur’s first book festival.

I’ll be looking forward to hearing Ron Rash, George Singleton, Marshall Chapman, Edward P. Jones, Roy Blount Jr., Michael Curtis and John T. Edge. I’m not interested in Emily Saliers only because I know it will be a mob scene when she talks and performs.

Mashed potatoes! Gravy! And cranberry sauce!
Did you ever imagine you’d hear Burt Bacharach sing “I hope I never get hit in the reeeeeeear again” in your lifetime?

Most of my friends know I’m a freak about (good) commercials and advertising, so it should surprise no one that I love the new Geico spots.

Someone has already been kind enough to record the one featuring Little Richard and put it on YouTube.

Curious George

“Gay relationships are a bit different. I’m sure we’ll be allowed to roam if we want to. But we love each other dearly.”

Do me a favor, George, and don’t presume to speak for all gay men and how they approach relationships. And, heterosexuals, do me a favor and please don’t think all homosexuals are drug-addled has-beens who can’t keep it in their pants. Likewise, homosexuals, don’t assume Jennifer Lopez or Tommy Lee represents all attitudes straight people hold about relationships. Thanks.

Harry-kari?
If you’re not a sports fan, more specifically a Major League Baseball fan, the name Harold Reynolds will mean nothing to you.

But to most of us who are, Reynolds was one of the few young(er) baseball analysts that was not only respected for his knowledge of the game but also regarded as a pleasure to listen to. He has been fired by ESPN.

It’s frustrating. Unless he attacked a co-worker, I can’t imagine why they would let him go.

What am I saying — I do know how they could make that call.

Most network decisions today revolve around grabbing more of a share of the coveted 18-34-year-old demographic that’s so desirable to advertisers. Maybe, in their minds, the folks at ESPN don’t consider Reynolds exciting enough to draw a 20-year-old frat boy with the spending power of his daddy’s credit cards away from MySpace, Madden NFL 06 and Laguna Beach. Reynolds doesn’t say boo-ya, yeah baay-beee or back-back-back-back-back-back-back. Nor is he baseball broadcasting’s Jack Black.

At least we still have Joe Morgan, right? Did you know he played for the Reds? Did you know he’s in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Here’s hoping Reynolds isn’t guilty of anything scandalous and lands somewhere that we can still hear his insight into America’s pastime.

3:30 p.m. Update: Deadspin hints at a reason for Harold’s demise.