“WWII In HD” is an excellent 10-hour, five part series narrated by Gary Sinise of “Forrest Gump” and “CSI: New York. “  Three episodes air tonight on the History Channel.

The series shows the war through the eyes of 12 Americans who fought in the war or contributed to it in some way. Using diaries, journals, and new interviews, it follows these Americans as their personal journeys intersect with one another throughout the war effort. Hollywood actors, including LL Cool J of  “NCIS: Los Angeles,” Rob Lowe, Amy Smart, Jason Ritter, and Steve Zahn, portray the young voices of the Americans. The original Americans include a war reporter, an Army nurse, a young African American from Toledo who became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a second-generation Japanese American, and a Jewish immigrant from Austria who wound up in the Pacific Theater. (more…)

For those of you who don’t know, I’m from Cambridge. Born and raised there. I grew up in the Jefferson Park housing projects a stone’s throw from Harvard. Never a Dull Moment in JP I can tell you! Even today. Knew lots of CPD cops like Officer Crowley too, but never in a good way. Like when a fellow punk projects friend of mine drove a stolen car through a fence and into the deep end of the local MDC kiddie pool. They wanted us real bad that night! I was guilty as sin, too. All wet, in fact. Rode shotgun the whole way. Front row seat. Yee-ha! Island Kingdom, eat your heart out.

My whole childhood was like that. A lot of crazy stuff, a lot of running from police. Was a local sport, like train-hopping. But that’s all just the gritty side of Cambridge. And even though I’m a rank Righty today, I still love Harvard University all the way, the Square especially. It’s the Crossroads of the World. I was a total Harvard Square rat growing up. Harvard is the Bright Light of Olde Cantabrigia. Harvard was also very active in the community back then, and most likely still is today. Harvard hosted field trips to the campus from schools all over Cambridge. The Agassiz Museum was my favorite. Lots of dead bugs and dinosaur bones. That was Heaven to me. Still is. (more…)

Since there was some controversy here over the merits of hip-hop (aka rap), I thought I would throw in my two cents.

It’s not my favorite music. I’m more into jazz and classic soul (and lots of other music, as well), but it definitely has value. There are plenty of great rap tunes. So here’s a list of a few off the top of my head. Many of these are old. I’ll admit I prefer the old-school stuff. The older music was more fun or told a story or had a sense of humor. The newer stuff does that on occasion, but most of the time it’s lazy and tired. But then hip hop is getting rather long in the tooth. Musical styles tend to get tired after awhile. I suspect a new generation will find their own musical style since rap is almost their parent’s music now. (more…)