In 1948 Bernhardt Stahmer unveiled a crinkle-cut potato chip design that would later become synonymous with the name he trademarked: Ruffles. Ridges in the chip = more chip. Genius. Fast-forward 73 years and 173 flavors later. (Ruffles has gone the … Continue reading
Mets ace Jacob deGrom returned to the mound Tuesday night in his first start since going on the Injured List two weeks ago. DeGrom showed no signs of rust, for though he was limited to five innings he still managed … Continue reading
Nats… last place. Capitals… out. Football team? Lost arguably its best player and now looks to a QB on his ninth team. That’s when we stop talking about how much everyone hates the owner and his hostile work environment. Carrying … Continue reading
The cicadas in my neck of the woods are out in full force, covering windows, doors, trees, walls, cars, and the occasional person. When one of my students asks for a definition of “ubiquitous” I will reference this moment. The … Continue reading
And I swear the whole game Tuesday night I was thinking… this is it, this is the season. (It was only at the end did I realize that this was basically a double-elimination tournament for my hometown team.) With their … Continue reading
Pokémon cards are now so in demand that local retailers cannot handle the crush of customers (sometimes literally) clambering to obtain them. Target, for example, once one of the world’s go-to spots for Pokémon cards, has just plain given up. … Continue reading
May 16, 2001, was a momentous day in the life of Mike O’Connell Jr. This was that day I moved into my new apartment, my first apartment as a matter of fact, and, as went the procedure at the time, … Continue reading
You hear about the gas shortage? Depending on where you live you’ve either been not affected at all or you’re in a complete gas desert, apparently a result of your neighbors’ panicking when told they might not be able to … Continue reading
New York Mets pitcher (and frequent mikeoconnelljr.com subject) Jacob deGrom left his start Sunday after only five innings, “right side tightness” later declared to be the cause. Following a “clean” MRI, deGrom was nonetheless placed on the 10-day Injured List, … Continue reading
Many holidays have found me confused, not about the spirit of the day or its merit, but rather… how to spell it. (I swear I’ve seen “Presidents’ Day about six different ways.) Mother’s Day? No such problem. Seems as though … Continue reading