Thanks for the tour of Cleveland! When I was a kid, our family used to drive there, but I’ve never been to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I’d like to go some day.
Coincidentally, I read this on a red eye flight going to Buffalo!
Glad you survived the redeye and made it to Buffalo. My big takeaway from your comment is that you're a three hour drive from The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
I have never been to Cleveland but after reading this I feel as though I have. Thanks. Oh, and I make the best milkshake west of the Mississippi right here in my own kitchen because I cannot get anyone, anywhere to make it thick enough or malty enough.
This was a fun look at Cleveland. I wonder what moniker you need at Hertz to get something other than a Hyundai Elantra? 5. Last trip for me was Boulder & Colorado Springs.
Thank you! I was worried that this one might not live up to the Alaska one, but I think each one has its merits, and really how do you compare Alaska to Cleveland?
Your trip to Cleveland was a LOT more entertaining than any of my experiences (including my visit this past week). But I can't believe I forgot to suggest visiting the A Christmas Story house (and accompanying museum). I have it on good authority that the actor who played Ralphie crashes there from time to time, lurking around the halls and posing for an occasional fan pic.
Even though cannolo is only the singular in Italian, and I don't know Italian, "a cannoli" is still disturbing. Especially if it's full of dried fruit.
As for Warren Zevon, there are only two songs I heard on the radio as a child that traumatized me: Excitable Boy (rape, murder, generic creepiness and psychosis) and Lodi (failed dreams and disappointment).
I would see how Excitable Boy was traumatic. Then again, I think Warren’s work was often about using dark humor to explore trauma. But yeah, Excitable Boy has some really disturbing lyrics.
" By the time we landed, I felt like hammered dog shit.... silently cursing the slow-as-molasses motherfuckers who deplaned ahead of us..." In my work, I had to fly at least twice a week for 14 years. I LOVED the work, cursed the flying. (I could have used a little magick.) I'm so happy to be retired. Thanks for the memories, Michael. Great post! Classic Estrin. Sharron at 🍁Leaves
So many gems! Of the all the things you covered here, I really enjoyed the baseball anecdotes. You astutely pointed out baseball games are among the best places in the world to overhear people discussing ridiculous subjects. Makes me want to rush to a Cubs game - not to support the Ricketts family - but to do a little "Field Research" for an upcoming post.
The Chapman story is very poignant. Had never heard of him. Thanks for enlightening me.
Finally, never been to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (or Cleveland), but they lost a lot of credibility in my mind when I learned they didn't induct Deep Purple until 2016: https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/deep-purple
Thank you! Can’t believe they denied Deep Purple for so long. And I’m glad you liked the Chapman story. Maybe one of these days I’ll write about all those times a batting helmet saved me.
Would love to read that one! Re: Deep Purple, a few years ago I went down a Classic Rock rabbit hole to remember the songs of my youth. That's when I found out about the RRHoF snub and the controversy around it. Metallica made a big stink out of it, which is why they inducted them.
Reading Situation Normal has become my Sunday ritual....gives me a good laugh and is much healthier than going to my local beer and donuts joint! Glad you and Christina had a great time exploring Cleveland. I need to show this article to my 24 yr old daughter who is a steadfast believer of the meme which states: What to do in Ohio? LEAVE! Too bad you didn't run into Calvin, though...love that little guy and his stuffed tiger!
Maybe someday you will write about your adventures of visiting my home state of NJ....got to admit there's plenty of material there. Lol Christina and you can explore "the Garden State" when you travel east to see New York City! 😁
Thank you, Patti! I’m so glad to hear that Situation Normal is a regular part of your Sunday! I’m actually a big fan of the Garden State. When I was in college in Connecticut I used to spend thanksgiving in New Jersey at a friend’s house. Loved every minute of it.
Thank you for the kind words, Teresa! And I’ll never throw shade at a chain milkshake. They’re usually pretty good, although for some reason McDonald’s milkshakes aren’t as good as I remember. Maybe they changed the recipe?? Anyway, next time I get a craving for a milkshake I’ll check out 5 Guys.
I've never been to Cleveland or Spain (https://genius.com/Three-dog-night-never-been-to-spain-lyrics), but I sure want to go there.
I nominate Larry Norman, he influenced many who came after him.
Not a milkshake guy but I like Elizabeth's answer.
Magick? I would like to see what The Amazing Randi would have said. I am cynical and sckeptical.
Our last vacation was to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Cleveland is great, but if it's between Cleveland and Spain, pick Spain. Also, I love that song!
Thanks for the tour of Cleveland! When I was a kid, our family used to drive there, but I’ve never been to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I’d like to go some day.
Coincidentally, I read this on a red eye flight going to Buffalo!
Glad you survived the redeye and made it to Buffalo. My big takeaway from your comment is that you're a three hour drive from The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
We are making a three hour trip, but it’s to Pittsburg this time. We’re going to their zoo to pet and/or feed a red panda!
Well, damn, that sounds super cool! Have fun!
I have never been to Cleveland but after reading this I feel as though I have. Thanks. Oh, and I make the best milkshake west of the Mississippi right here in my own kitchen because I cannot get anyone, anywhere to make it thick enough or malty enough.
Now I want another milkshake.
I changed planes once in Cleveland, so I guess the highlight was leaving Cleveland.
Steve Goodman for the Hall of Fame, though he really wasn't known for Rock and Roll
Last vacation was in Vail, CO. Came home with a case of Covid.
If you changed planes in Cleveland and left, then you successfully completed the layover experience. Sorry about the Vail trip.
This was a fun look at Cleveland. I wonder what moniker you need at Hertz to get something other than a Hyundai Elantra? 5. Last trip for me was Boulder & Colorado Springs.
I think you need to be a royal to upgrade at Hertz. Love Boulder!
Mr. Estrin, could we say the Presidents Circle is wherever you happen to be standing?
We could say that! Heck, I wish people would start saying that!
Also, this whole post was a delight!
Thank you! I was worried that this one might not live up to the Alaska one, but I think each one has its merits, and really how do you compare Alaska to Cleveland?
Your trip to Cleveland was a LOT more entertaining than any of my experiences (including my visit this past week). But I can't believe I forgot to suggest visiting the A Christmas Story house (and accompanying museum). I have it on good authority that the actor who played Ralphie crashes there from time to time, lurking around the halls and posing for an occasional fan pic.
I think you did suggest the Christmas Story house. Or someone else did. Somehow we missed it n
I want all my answers to start with the same two letters.
1) Best thing that WAS in Cleveland: Jack Flaps
2) RnRHOF nominees: Jay and the Americans, Jan and Dean
5) Last vacation? Japan. Just kidding, it was San Luis Obispo.
Japan would’ve been a lot cooler!
Even though cannolo is only the singular in Italian, and I don't know Italian, "a cannoli" is still disturbing. Especially if it's full of dried fruit.
Pour one out for Jack Flaps.
Just before I got your email I was watching https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681122/?ref_=ttep_ep6 and discussing the history of "Rock 'n Roll". I think it's quaint that payola used to be illegal.
As for Warren Zevon, there are only two songs I heard on the radio as a child that traumatized me: Excitable Boy (rape, murder, generic creepiness and psychosis) and Lodi (failed dreams and disappointment).
I would see how Excitable Boy was traumatic. Then again, I think Warren’s work was often about using dark humor to explore trauma. But yeah, Excitable Boy has some really disturbing lyrics.
" By the time we landed, I felt like hammered dog shit.... silently cursing the slow-as-molasses motherfuckers who deplaned ahead of us..." In my work, I had to fly at least twice a week for 14 years. I LOVED the work, cursed the flying. (I could have used a little magick.) I'm so happy to be retired. Thanks for the memories, Michael. Great post! Classic Estrin. Sharron at 🍁Leaves
Thank you, Sharron! I love to travel, but each flight I take seems to take away some of my life force.
So many gems! Of the all the things you covered here, I really enjoyed the baseball anecdotes. You astutely pointed out baseball games are among the best places in the world to overhear people discussing ridiculous subjects. Makes me want to rush to a Cubs game - not to support the Ricketts family - but to do a little "Field Research" for an upcoming post.
The Chapman story is very poignant. Had never heard of him. Thanks for enlightening me.
Finally, never been to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (or Cleveland), but they lost a lot of credibility in my mind when I learned they didn't induct Deep Purple until 2016: https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/deep-purple
Thank you! Can’t believe they denied Deep Purple for so long. And I’m glad you liked the Chapman story. Maybe one of these days I’ll write about all those times a batting helmet saved me.
Would love to read that one! Re: Deep Purple, a few years ago I went down a Classic Rock rabbit hole to remember the songs of my youth. That's when I found out about the RRHoF snub and the controversy around it. Metallica made a big stink out of it, which is why they inducted them.
Also, not sure if you got this post yet, but I did a gerrymandering follow-up to the "talk about democracy" and gave you a shout as well! https://agowani.substack.com/p/clash-of-the-titans
Haven't seen it yet, but will check it out!
Reading Situation Normal has become my Sunday ritual....gives me a good laugh and is much healthier than going to my local beer and donuts joint! Glad you and Christina had a great time exploring Cleveland. I need to show this article to my 24 yr old daughter who is a steadfast believer of the meme which states: What to do in Ohio? LEAVE! Too bad you didn't run into Calvin, though...love that little guy and his stuffed tiger!
Maybe someday you will write about your adventures of visiting my home state of NJ....got to admit there's plenty of material there. Lol Christina and you can explore "the Garden State" when you travel east to see New York City! 😁
Thank you, Patti! I’m so glad to hear that Situation Normal is a regular part of your Sunday! I’m actually a big fan of the Garden State. When I was in college in Connecticut I used to spend thanksgiving in New Jersey at a friend’s house. Loved every minute of it.
The Chik-fil-A seasonal peach milkshake is pretty stellar too.
I'm assuming I'll have to wait until next year for this one?
Seems that way, as it wasn't an order option online. That said, I've never had the autumn spice seasonal variety, which looks like it has real potential: https://order.chick-fil-a.com/menu/mobile-treats/autumn-spice-milkshake
Thank you for the kind words, Teresa! And I’ll never throw shade at a chain milkshake. They’re usually pretty good, although for some reason McDonald’s milkshakes aren’t as good as I remember. Maybe they changed the recipe?? Anyway, next time I get a craving for a milkshake I’ll check out 5 Guys.