Gonna hit you with some pop culture stuff this week. Just because I want to.
Season four of Ozark on Netflix. Have you finished it yet?
Let’s get through this without spoiling it for those who haven’t made it all the way through. Was that some of the best television or what? After some dragging moments through season three, I thought season four was outstanding. Non-stop with the twists and never-ending predicaments for the Byrde family. I’ve always been a big fan of Jason Bateman, primarily in more comedic roles than in the more serious role he plays in Ozark. But man, the guy can act. And the actress who plays his ruthless and cunning wife? She really made you dislike her character, which of course is great acting. I had to Google her name: it’s Laura Linney.
I’m not much of a binge watcher, preferring to stick with an episode at time. But in season four of Ozark, I was often willing to go two episodes per night as the series drew close to conclusion. For me, that’s a big deal and a sign this final season was extremely captivating.
Anyway, if you’ve finished Ozark shoot me an email and let me know what you thought of the final season and how it ended.
I’m already sort of missing the Byrde family, to be honest.
I know you’re wondering, so I’ll answer your silent question. Yes, the Air Supply concert on Saturday night at Ameristar was awesome. In fact, I thought the ol’ boys voices were stronger this show than last time we had seen them in KC. Maybe some time off during COVID did their voices well.
And hey, I did spot some familiar Platte County faces in the crowd. You know who you are. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna name names, just in case some of you think it’s not cool to have been seen at Air Supply and to be officially now recognized as an Airhead.
Lately I’ve been listening to the 80s on 8 station on Sirius. This is a switch from the previous four or five years when I’ve strictly been a 70s on 7 kind of guy. I’d forgotten how much great music there was in the 80s. The year 1985 was the sweet spot for the decade in my opinion, so many memorable songs from that year. Google “best songs of 1985” if you don’t believe me.
Speaking of the 1980s, let’s talk about Kim Carnes. Sorry if you disagree but Kim Carnes is a damn national treasure. I’ll die on that hill.
She has a unique voice, unique in that it is raspy yet still very easy on the ears. A voice so unique that in the early 1980s I could have listened to her read the phone book. Over the phone. Late at night. But now we’re getting off topic.
My favorite Kim Carnes song was, to no surprise, “Bette Davis Eyes,” which spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the charts in the summer of 1981, which for me was a summer filled with Sunday night slow-pitch softball games followed by late night card parties, often with that song memorably playing in the background.
But this week the 80s on 8 Sirius XM station played a forgotten song by Kim Carnes. So forgotten even I, a devout fan of Kim Carnes, had forgotten about it. It’s called “Crazy in the Night.” I suggest you stop what you’re doing right now to go listen to this song. Find it on YouTube. It’s a catchy tune that’ll put you in a good mood.
According to Google, Kim Carnes is now living in Nashville and is now 76 years old. Wow. Father Time remains undefeated.
I repeat, Kim Carnes is 76. This seems impossible and unfair. Quick, somebody invent a time machine.
Last week, the office microwave we’ve had in The Landmark’s luxurious break room finally took its last breath. It had served this office faithfully and without complaint since 1996. RIP, ya beast.
A microwave that lasted 26 years. A tenure not quite as long nor as true as office manager Cindy, but still. That’s dedicated and loyal service to the cause.
The brand? Samsung.
I want to take a minute to publicly salute and thank our hard-working staff at The Landmark as the newspaper notes its 158th year of publication. Last week’s edition marked the start of year number 158, so we’re already off and running with this being Volume 158 Number 2.
We have–and always have had–the best staff with the best attitude, folks who have a passion for community news and accountability journalism who have fun doing it in this atmosphere.
Also a major salute to my columnist friends on page 3 who share their talents without compensation–other than well-deserved compliments, of course. Same goes for all who contribute to Landmark Live, and that Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Famer who for years voluntarily worked to compile all of our winning entries into a variety of Better Newspaper Contests.
I hope you recall when we told you earlier this spring that studies show Tuesday is the worst day of the week to buy gasoline. Have you noticed the way this has played out? On three recent Tuesdays in Platte City, the price per gallon has jumped by 17 cents, by 20 cents and by 16 cents when you wake up on Tuesday mornings. Facts don’t lie.
The moral of this story is never wait till Tuesday to fill your gas tank. Another moral of this story is to always read Between the Lines.
(Fill your tank with a weekly dose of Between the Lines and email ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)