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Finding Mudville

Enforcing The Code So the Phillies’ Cole Hamels decided to give Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper a personalized welcome to The Show by plunking Harper in the back with a fastball. Then Hamels admitted to the press that he was intenti ... full story

Smith Says

Somehow, I didn’t think I’d still be confused at 51. Of course, when I was 15 and tried to imagine myself at 50, I didn’t think I’d be walking upright, either. Surely at such an ancient age I’d be creeping along like a c ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man

I don’t do feet I have this phobia about feet, what you would call an anti-foot fetish. My dislike of feet begins and ends with my own two. I have Bozo feet. I look down at these long fellows and imagine big, floppy, red shoes stuck on them, ... full story

The State Capitol Report

The business of the House continued this week, with several interesting developments. Here are a few of the highlights from the week: • Department of Administration Bill The House amended Senate amendments to a bill, H.3066, that would, among o ... full story

Finding Mudville

I hate the playoffs The playoffs started last week. They brought to the surface some unpleasant memories from my playing days. So, let’s get it out of the way early: I hate the playoffs. I hate the playoffs because I hate to lose and i ... full story

Smith Says

The late actress Rosalind Russell was famous for this line: “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.” Obviously, she never saw me tackle an all-you-can-eat buffet. I like to eat. I especially like to eat vegetables ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man

This past weekend I rode in the backseat of my son’s Mazda 3. Mazdas and I have history you see, and it’s not pleasant. Driving my dad’s Mazda Miata was like driving a Hot Wheel. Getting out of the Miata involved the term, “Dr ... full story

Smith Says

Cat lovers, turn the page. Just kidding! When you write a weekly column, there are some “gimme” dates: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, wedding anniversary… you don’t re-run the same columns, o ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man

I hate games. I hate games because I want to win. Why else would anyone want to play a game if not to win? Is there another reason to play games? Surely it’s not to have fun. If you don’t win you can’t be having fun so t ... full story

Work on changing yourself

A friend of mine went for an interview not so long ago. It turned out very well. They were impressed with him and his experience and ability. The only thing they needed to do was to run a drug test and do a credit check and the job would be his. He ... full story

Smith Says

There’s a bright spot in the black hole of our kitchen remodel: Dozens of cookbooks are stacked in the guest room (next to the fridge and stove), and I’m taking inventory. Before you turn to the sports page, know this: Most of them belong ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man

Playing the Lottery Last week I succumbed. I caved to the temptation. I jumped into the fray. I bought my first ever lottery ticket. I stood in line with others just as hopeful as I on a Friday night spending money they don’t have on lo ... full story

Finding Mudville

Taking up golf (again) I’m taking up golf. Again. I gave up golf a long time ago because I realized you never win at golf but instead one suffers through various degrees of losing. I gave up golf because I got tired of losing. I also gave up ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man

Egg Drop Soup It’s warm and sunny, nary a cloud in the sky. In the distance, music plays. I hear birdsong wafting from the treetops. The squeal of children’s laughter tinkle like chimes dancing on the wings of a springtime zephyr ... full story

Greatness is in how well we serve

Service is always in demand. It is what many businesses use to attract customers. It is what politicians use to earn votes. Yet, very few people really understand or practice serving others. Most of us prefer to be served, not to serve. We see bein ... full story

Smith Says

According to a U.S. Census Bureau report released Monday, eight out of 10 Americans are now urbanites. Or, as my daddy used to say, “Country come to town.” I used to be an urbanite. But before that, I grew up in the sticks—miles fro ... full story

It’s a Wonderful Life … Facebook Style

No man is a failure who has friends. Clarence the Angel said that to George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) at the end of the Frank Capra film “It’s A Wonderful Life” right after he received his wings. The movie follows George’s life ... full story

Smith Says

My eyeballs feel like they’ve been boiled and hurled back into my head. With a slingshot. And someone apparently took a ball-peen hammer and went to town on my eye sockets while I slept. If this is spring, you can keep it. I’ve seen 51 sp ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man

Hunting UFOs I love sky watching. I’ve seen space stations, satellites, comets and meteor showers, and have seen all five visible planets with the naked eye … six, if you count looking down at my feet and beholding good old mother ... full story

Smith Says

Random thoughts while lying prone upon the sofa, while clicking through approximately 327 channels, while in the grip of a nasty, gut-clutching stomach virus: My skin hurts. Actually hurts. How this relates to my digestive system, I have no idea ... full story

Education policies hurting South Carolina

South Carolina has a good vision for education. Three recent news stories show how this vision is failing. And three words tell us why: stupid Republican policies. First, the vision. The last time that South Carolina did anything really big and bold ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man

It’s 2012. If you subscribe to the Mayan calendar method of tracking time, we’re nearing the end. The clock – or sundial in this case – is ticking. A long, long time ago in Acapulco some Mayan math teachers decided to play a ... full story

Finding Mudville

Ah, yes. It’s that time of year. It’s time for guys to get out their divining rods, download their computer flowcharts, assemble their statistical data and review team histories. It’s time to fish that lucky rabbit’s foot out ... full story

Smith Says

Sigh. There’s another item to cross off my bucket list, and not because I did it. The Oak Room in New York City’s Algonquin Hotel has closed, which means I’ll never have a drink at the home of the Round Table gang, a celebrated grou ... full story

Fanfare for the Common Man: Clowns

I heard the circus was in town last week. Didn’t go. Why? I. Don’t. Like. Clowns. They scare me. Yes, I was the fearful child, riddled with neuroses and phobias, cursed with the wild imagination that rendered all things impossible and im ... full story