I'm Hangin' It Up. Meantime. . .

Do video games still resonate with the Space Invaders generation? Our Friday Hemingway wants to know.

I’ll be back Monday.

That was a cheap way to jack the Open Rate, Doc.

Yes, it was.

Moving right along. . .

Mobster Andy Worth is today’s Hemingway. Andy grew up and still lives in Anderson Twp and attended Ohio State. He met his wife, also from Anderson, while delivering a pizza. He’s an avid skier and hiker and loves being outdoors. Let’s give Andy a rousing TML welcome.

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I offered to write a guest TML and was shocked when Doc said you’re on. I can only repeat what Jay Brinker said about Doc’s retirement, “I appreciate him coming out of a retirement that lasted barely longer than Tom Brady’s to resume The Morning Line.”

I have been laid up for most of the last year and always look forward to reading the TML and the Mobsters comments. Normally I would stick to the basics: Reds, Bengals, UC, OSU. (Yes I’m a grad and we just called it Ohio State.)

I wanted to offer something different, but wasn’t sure this crowd would be too interested in ski racing so here goes. Thanks, Doc, for giving me the opportunity.

I was reading the New York Times the other day and stumbled on an article about the video game industry. The article was focused on the attempt to unionize the workers who produce and test video games. That was interesting but I was blown away by the following statement:

About two-thirds of Americans, most of them adults, play video games. The video game industry was worth nearly $200 billion in 2021 — more than music, U.S. book publishing and North American sports combined. It employs hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. alone.

I doubt their claim that the industry is worth more than music, US book publishing and North American Sports combined. (The 32 NFL franchises are worth $112 billion themselves according to Forbes)

Howevuh… $200 Billion is a lot of dough. I have not played a video game since Space Invaders (mid 70s ) and purchased a Play Station for my kids when they were in their teens. I’m a year or two older than Doc and am wondering, how many adults are involved in playing video games?

Must be more than just a few. I have 3 boys who were interested in video games when they were growing up but moved on to other pursuits (sports, music, girls) as time went on. I know young adults that became addicted to playing video games on-line with headsets and teams etc. I know one who was so immersed in gaming that the only time he would spend with his girlfriend was when she would come over to watch him play video games. She finally issued an ultimatum which made him realize that video games were running his life. He decided to stop playing.

He got rid of all his gaming paraphernalia and suffered through a period of depression similar to recovery from an addiction. Do you know of anyone who is this obsessed?

The other obvious downside to video games is the level of violence involved. We’ve all seen the victims of shootings (Thoughts and Prayers) talk about how video games glorify excessive violence and that it is a short stroll between killing a village virtually and shooting up your classroom.

Not sure this parallel holds much water but it does speak to glorification of violence to someone who has mental health issues. Some of the positives of the industry are the employment that is provided. Hundreds of thousands of folks is nothing to sneeze at.

At a time when tech firms are shedding jobs, these companies employ US based people. I know there are many people who enjoy playing video games and keep them in the correct perspective in their life. I count myself lucky that I missed the video game boat. I have too many other vices going that I don’t need one more demon to fight. Besides video games cost big money and like Doc I’m a little cheap, er, careful with my money.

Give me a good book to read while I’m listening to music or the Reds on the radio and I’m a happy man . I admit I like Tommy Thrall but do miss Marty. Us Old guys need something to crab about.

Let me know your thoughts on video-gaming.

TUNE O’ THE DAY. . . I wonder what Jimi would think about his music being used to sell Acura’s They didn’t even have Acura’s back in Jimi’s day. Here’s a Jimi classic.

FWIW, Mobsters. . . The Erstwhile Kid Down the Hall had a video-game moment. He loved Madden and Grand Theft Auto. I enjoyed each. Especially GTA. I never played the actual game. I never wanted to. Kelly gave me all the cheat codes for acquiring weaponry. I played GTA simply by jacking a car, loading up with machine guns and bazookas and blowing crap up.

It was awesome. I’d drive around LA. I’d drive up to the Hollywood sign and strafe anyone who happened by. Eventually, that would include, say, armored vehicles and helicopters. They regretted the day they crossed my path.

Anyway. . .

PLEASE WELCOME THE FUN-ESPONDENTS, who will fill your weekend with unsurpassed joy.

Hey Michelle!’s tips will leave you pleasantly exhausted. . .

Fire & Ice Themed Dinners with Molly Wellman ~ Moerlein Lager House is hosting three course meals by Chef Nathan Whittington and specialty cocktails by the one and only Molly W! There will be ice sculptures, nightly performers, drink luge and more to enjoy before or after dinner. The dinner is a ticketed event (but the performances and outdoor area fun are free to the public). February 3,4,10,11,17,18,24 & 25. Igloos are available for rent.

Georgia O’Keeffe

Cincinnati Art Museum ~ The Georgia O’Keeffe Photographer exhibit opens Friday. The iconic American artist was also an outstanding photographer and this collection will be displayed until May 7. The museum is also offering a self-guided tour exploring works by black artists for Black History Month. General admission and parking are always free. Special exhibits have a small fee if not a member. 

Cincy Winter Beerfest ~ More than 150 brews and this year craft wines and distilleries will be offering up some sips. This event will be at Duke Energy and has three sessions to choose from~ 7:30-11 Friday, 1-4:30 Saturday  and 7:30-11 Saturday. You get 25 sampling tickets and a souvenir mug for $50 

Garage Brewed Moto Show ~ Highlighting the most unique bikes around custom, antique, hand-built and more. Noon - Midnight Saturday at Rhinegeist Brewery Open to the public 

Bunnies & Blooms ~ Krohn Conservatory’s new Spring show featuring live bunnies, tulips and daffodils to get you in the Spring mood now through March 12th. 

Mutual Dance Theatre ~ “Rubberband” this explosive, one of a kind ensemble of energetic break dancing, ballet and contemporary dance will take place Friday & Saturday 7:30 at the Aronoff Center. Tickets are $35 

Hey Michelle,
Do you want to know where to eat, drink and have fun in Cincinnati? Follow me @HeyMichelle1 on IG  https://heymichelle-help.com

IMBIBER DAVE samples our robust live music scene.

Another amazing week for live music in Cincinnati. Few things get the imbibe-o-meter going more than seeing one of your favorite bands up close and personal.

We’ve been extremely fortunate to see multiple new venues open, and the artists have started to notice. Some of these new venues like Ovation in Newport or the Brady Center in Cincy are able to pull marquee talent, but are smaller and more intimate than our classic spots. They are also far nicer, with better services than we are used to. I of course mean lots more bars and access to better imbibing options.

Now don’t get me wrong, everyone should see a show at Bogarts now and again, but it doesn’t compare to the experience at Ludlow Garage right down the street. I’ll try to stop myself short of turning into the Progressive parents from the commercials by exclaiming stuff like wow those bathrooms were so clean.

One of my favorites is Memorial Hall, a gorgeous historic theater next to Music Hall in OTR. We saw Neko Case, co-lead singer of the indie band The New Pornographers, as well as her self titled side project. It sort of feels like you are seeing a concert at the Aronoff, with perfect acoustics and energy for a show.

Being in the heart of OTR, feel free to pop into Sundry & Vice after the show for a classic cocktail while you discuss which song sounded the best.

Cheers!
cincybeerguydave@gmail.com