Author Archives: Paleo Retiree

About Paleo Retiree

Onetime media flunky and movie buff and very glad to have left that mess behind. Formerly Michael Blowhard of the cultureblog 2Blowhards.com. Now a rootless parasite and bon vivant on a quest to find the perfectly-crafted artisanal cocktail.

“Plush”

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Interesting / awful film by Catherine Hardwicke, who did the first “Twilight” movie, which I haven’t seen and don’t plan to see. It’s an interesting movie because Hardwicke is very talented; it’s an awful one because of … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Catherine Hardwicke, dawn olivieri, edginess, emily browning, movies, rock music, xavier samuel, YA novels | 1 Comment

Changing Mores and Expectations: Bras in Public

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: The heat and humidity have finally settled over New York City, and with the onset of sultry weather the city’s women have been stripping down to skimpy hot-weather wear. Early summer here is always a fun season for girl-watching, bemusement and wondering what it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Trends, Women men and fashion | Tagged bras, creepshots, lingerie, New York City, trends, underwear | 22 Comments

Linkage

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Are bottled cocktails worth the cost? (Link thanks to Eddie Pensier.) Has the fake Holocaust memoir become a literary genre of its own? Want to tell the FCC you don’t want it fucking with net neutrality? Here’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Linkathons | 4 Comments

Whiskey Class Tonight

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: When people ask me what I’m doing with myself in retirement, I like to tell them that I’m getting back to my studies.

Posted in Education, Food and health, The Good Life | Tagged cocktails, education, food and drink | 9 Comments

Diversity Du Jour

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Spotted recently: J.P Morgan/Chase lending support to LGBT Pride Month and Marriott International promoting a trans fashion model. Small reminder to diversity fans — you aren’t fighting the power. You are the power. Related Steve Sailer cuts through … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics, Sex | Tagged diversity | 16 Comments

Retro Pleasures: A Shave and a Haircut

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Thank god the era of the men’s hair stylist is over. Hair stylists, eh? Fussiness, “styling products,” girly smells … It seemed like part of the worldwide conspiracy to make men as vain, as vapid and as anxiety-ridden … Continue reading →

Posted in The Good Life | Tagged barbershops, California, New York City, nyc, retro pleasures | 26 Comments

Architecture Du Jour

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: A jumbled view from NYC’s Washington Square Park looking north — partly because we here at UR have a profound and principled objection to the tendency of so much of the architecture press to discuss buildings as … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged architecture, Christopher Gray, Harvey Wiley Corbett, Hugh Ferriss, New York City | 1 Comment

“Sorcerer”

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: William Friedkin’s 1977 metaphysical action-adventure film had an almost ludicrously unhappy initial release. Although it was widely anticipated and was one of the biggest productions of its era, the critics were hard on the film, finding it overbearing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Apocalypse Now, francis coppola, movie, sorceror, William Friedkin | 34 Comments

Gluten-Free: Surging? Peaking? Declining?

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Back when I worked for a major media outlet, we staffers would sometimes joke that there was no better guarantee that a trend had gone past its peak and begun its decline than being chosen by our magazine … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and health, Media, The Good Life, Trends | Tagged diet, fitness, food, health, magazines, Mark Sisson, trends | 20 Comments

“Need” and “Should”

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Another installment in what I’m thinking of as my Andy Rooney Series, wherein I notice, and then muse grumpily about, current trends. Hey, what else are older people good for? Today: What to make of morally coercive language … Continue reading →