I’m Mike.
And this is my blog.
My name is Mike Bawden. I like to tell stories and share my opinions on things … often without even being asked.
But a lot of people tell me that my outlook on the world is positive, encouraging, and at times, actually useful. So I thought I’d offer those insights here. Take them for what they are. And let me know what you think.
A dream job … or just a job of dreams?
You need to know one of the true “wizards” of Disney’s Imagineering department. He’s made a real-life lightsaber and now he’s creating the technology that could put a Holodeck experience in every home. Find out more …
Gone but not forgotten – favorite automotive trends from the past
America (and much of the world) has had a century-long love affair with automobiles – of all shapes and sizes. But just like that person you dated back in high school, a second look few decades after the fact may result in a raised eyebrow or two.
So long Leap Day, see you in 4 years (or so) …
Oh sure, it seems obvious. Every four years, we’ll just add an extra day to the calendar. Unless the year ends in a 00, then … well … read this post and you’ll know all you really need to know about “Leap Days.”
Leaping back into the DAILY SPAM … and much more.
It’s well preserved in its own juices and fresh out of the can. The DAILY SPAM is back.
Celebrating the best underwater photography of the year
The online gallery showcasing the best entries of the 2024 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition is absolutely stunning. I’ve posted a few samples and a link to the online exhibit.
Nothing to watch on HULU? Not exactly …
Overwhelmed with options when it comes to finding a new series to stream or a movie to watch? If you’ve got a subscription to HULU, I might have a few suggestions …
How Godzilla found his voice
There’s something delightfully nostalgic about the unforgettably corny schreech of a roar coming from the original King of the Monsters (Godzilla) in the original 1954 production. Here’s the story behind the sound …
Additions for your “ttrbyd” list
What’s this? Just another one of those lists of things to do, read, watch, experience before you leave this mortal coil? Maybe, but it’s worth the read.
A little walk can take us miles
How many steps do you take in a day? Believe it or not, there are physiological, mental, and emotional benefits to literally “taking a hike” whether your wife asks you to or not.
Apple’s big bet on the MLS
How does Apple view its 10-year, $2B+ deal between Apple TV+ and Major League Soccer? It’s a way to reinvent sports for a streaming environment and get in on the ground floor of what could be the freshest source of “reality television” on the planet.
Animal stories … and much more.
Whether it’s a rampaging bear, a happy dog, or the return of the woolly rhino … it’s all good in today’s DAILY SPAM.
Still turning heads at 50 … happy birthday to THE EXORCIST.
Everything from celebrating fifty years of head-spinning thrills to the health benefits of ice cream. It’s all part of today’s nutritious meal of email delights.
Have you had your SPAM today?
Introducing a new column … Daily Spam is what I serve up after digging through the hundreds of emails I get every day … just so you don’t have to. I’ll provide links to interesting articles, videos, podcasts and more with no offers for winning lotto numbers, inheritances from African princes, or the latest NFTs. It’s free content worth every penny. Guaranteed.
You’ll never guess where I found the biggest obstacle to my recovery journey …
It turns out that the mind-body connection works both ways. Sometimes the biggest barrier keeping you from your success is located between your ears – which is why its important to understand how physical trauma can bring on depression and how your mental health affects your recovery.
The patient can go on vacation, but the therapy can’t.
Even when you intentionally “get away from it all” you don’t get away from it ALL. Blogger Mike Bawden explains how to manage travel, touring foreign countries, chasing grandchildren, and rehabbing an injured shoulder simultaneously.
Sometimes physical therapy can be a real pain …
I learned the hard way that pain, and my reaction to it, is one of the useful signals a therapist uses to evaluate the progress of your rehabilitation.
We all need a little inspiration
People ask me about the title for this blog. “The Trail Back” isn’t just a metaphor. At least not when you understand that I won’t consider my recovery complete until I’ve spent two weeks and completed about two dozen portages in the Quetico Provincial Park.
Have a Super Tuesday, everyone!
Fans show their love of their favorite things in a variety of ways – and, arguably, one of the most impressive ways is by producing “fan films” that tell a story about the heroes and villains they love to watch. Here are a few Superman films I thought I’d share.
Showdown in Pine Bluff: Death Before Dawn
Edge Wallace puts everything on the line when he tries to rescue a small, frontier town from an invasion of flesh-eating zombies set on them by forces they can’t even begin to understand.
Showdown in Pine Bluff: An Unwelcome Return
Returning to Pine Bluff after the shootout at the Randolph Ranch, Edge Wallace finds he’s not welcome in the town anymore. But all that seems a little too convenient to the frontier lawman.
How Tom Hanks and Mr. Rogers saved my life.
While recovering in the hospital, I learned and important lesson about the power of kindness from Mr. Rogers, thanks to Tom Hanks. Turns out, I wasn’t alone.
Showdown in Pine Bluff: Randolph Ranch
As Edge approached the Randolph place, he saw the problem immediately. The sheriff’s vehicle was torn in half. On the ground beside it lay the top half of the other deputy. It was clear to Edge now that Pine Bluff was under siege. And the adversary wasn’t just your usual gang of thugs or gunslingers-for-hire employed by someone who fancied himself a “rail baron.”
Blow it up, baby!
Humans have been chewing gum for thousands of years, making bubble gum’s invention almost 100 years ago a relatively new development. Find out more about gum, how to chew it and when to spit it out when we blow up gum in today’s article!
The power of positivity
They say “attitude is everything.” Here’s why a positive attitude can make all the difference in how you recover from an injury.
It’s Groundhog Day … again.
It’s likely you’ve celebrated this day before – and before that, and before that. Over a century isn’t a bad run for a rodent-themed, weather-prediction tradition that traces its German roots back to the middle of the 19th century.
Remember, snakes are people too … wait, wut?
With over 3,000 species of snakes populating the Earth, they’re due for their own day … aren’t they?
Happy Yad Sdrawckab!
Go out the “In” door. Say “Goodbye” instead of “Hello.” Confuse your friends and confound your rivals (or visa versa). It’s National Backwards Day today!
The inevitable heartbreak of a championship game
The recipe for a successful championship run is often dependent upon missed opportunities and mistakes as it is hard work, perseverance, and talent. You can look no further than the January 29th AFC Championship game to find a perfect example.
Celebrate an American institution … all hail bubble wrap!
Originally intended to be sold as wallpaper when it was invented in the 1950s, bubble wrap is now both a popular packing material and annoying habit enabler for people who are perpetually fidgety.
Showdown in Pine Bluff: The Riders Return
Years after the lynching of a local lawman, Pine Bluff is once again the site of terror on a supernatural scale. And once again, a Rider arrives to set things straight – and possibly settle an old score.
Can you figure out why there’s a National Puzzle Day?
Puzzles are a great way to stimulate the brain, expand your vocabulary, and humiliate your friends … could there be any more reasons to celebrate National Puzzle Day?
Can you beat a good blueberry pancake?
Whether you choose to celebrate National Blueberry Pancake Day today or not, it’s hard to deny that nothing beats a warm stack of flapjacks on a cold, wintery day (like today).
Showdown in Pine Bluff: The Prelude
Lawman Tierran McCaffrey comes eye-to-eye with an outlaw known as “Nomad” – hellbent on bringing terror to the people living on the frontier range known as The Grasslands, and setting the stage for an ultimate showdown in a little town known as Pine Bluff.
Are we having fun yet? We should be
It’s National Fun At Work Day, so I’ve provided a list of some fun things to do at the office to make this a Friday worth remembering. Enjoy!
Let the therapy begin
Out of the hospital and on my own … but not quite. Frankly, I don’t know where this story would go if it weren’t for the on-going care and supervision of my physical therapist and the team at ORA Orthopedics.
Time for a party in the land down under!
January 26th is Australia Day around the world – because if anyone deserves a party, it’s all the men at work and supertramps from the land down under.
Freezin’ Trees
We haven’t had much snow this winter and, admittedly, this week’s snowfall was barely there. But it was wet and white and when I woke up this morning, everything was covered in a fresh coat of whiteness. Beautiful.
As if things in Florida weren’t weird enough …
Celebrate the day Florida claims as its own and the rest of the country points out the fact that the state’s resemblance to America’s penis is more than just merely coincidental.
My Wiley Coyote moment.
Following a fall in October of 2022 that resulted in four broken ribs, a punctured lung and a shattered scapula, I spent the next eight days contemplating my future.
An open invitation to my microphone.
Welcome to Open Mike. Here are “the rules of the road” for anyone interested in learning more about what this space is about and how to participate in our conversations.
