Not really. But I am going:  •  “Massachusetts beat Akron, 68-63, with a 22-5 run to end the game today, which means the Minutemen will travel to the Carrier Dome on Tuesday to face Syracuse in the NIT quarterfinals. Of course, the two teams are familiar with one another. UMass defeated Syracuse … read more »

Here we are on the last religious holiday left in the calendar. Somehow merchandisers have yet to figure out how to take advantage of Jesus on the cross to sell me a chocolate lump or to fashion an ad campaign for cars. For a brief while in high school there were a spate of Good Friday jokes like …

Great photos from a steam engine enthusiast's visit to an open pit coal mine in northern China.

A sad view out of the front window driving up Yonge Street Toronto this noon hour. Is there anything sadder than a big outdoor video screen that has been turned off? That wasn't in Blade Runner. Maybe the spinning LP neon signs that are either gone or busted. Oh for a barn that had the interior …

I got to tick two new to me diners off the list during this weekend's central New York, The Glenwood Pines Restaurant in Ulysses down near Ithaca as well as the Crystal Restaurant in downtown Watertown. I think the first place dates in part from the late '40s while the second is an all-1920's … read more »

Grim:  •  “Beijing is like an athlete trying to get into shape by walking on a treadmill yet eating double cheeseburgers at the same time. Polluting factories have been moved or closed. But auto emissions are rising as the city adds up to 1,200 new cars and trucks every day. Dirty, coal-burning …

It was a grey old day the other day when I dallied on the other side. But I took the opportunity to stop at all the local history plaques I passed, the car being devoid of those who would complain. Click for more detail of these ones between Alex Bay and Ogdensburg. That's Canada on the other side …

And you think you had it bad.

It is fine to call this one bad decision but it challenges the meaning of what is local and what is security:  •  “...officials wonder whether increased border security cost the firefighters precious minutes. Mr. Hébert said fires double in intensity about every minute. The six Quebeckers showed …