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How John Wayne movies, typewriter connected two generations

I correspond with a kid who writes letters on a typewriter.

Take a moment and think about how odd that sentence is.
His name is Rossell Brewer of Hendersonville. He’s 20, and he’s a student at Butler University in Indianapolis, where, I believe, the school of communications does not use typewriters. It would be cool if they did, but alas …
He said he and some of his friends communicate by writing letters. Welcome to the 20th century, Brewer. “Most of those letters are written on this machine (a typewriter),” he wrote. “I find actually writing letters to be a fun and exciting mental exercise that not only allows me time to collect my thoughts and let my points get fully across, but also express myself in ways which other mediums simply cannot.”

When I was 20 years old in 1982, Ronald Reagan was president, Diet Coke was invented, and the Commodore 64 personal computer was released with a price tag of $595.
Through his letters, I know Brewer as a thoughtful kid, an old soul (obviously), who sounds a lot like I was back before Chicken McNuggets, which were invented in 1983.
His first letter was about books. Not the best books ever, but books “that bring comfort.” Like ice cream at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday. I’m all about comfort books.
Love for old booksHere’s the funny thing. Brewer’s list is downright old, which is so cool.
He loves “Dune.” He said: “Each time I read it, I discover something new. Furthermore, the sci-fi fantasy is wonderfully immersive …” He loves the Nero Wolfe detective series, including books like “The League of Frightened Men” (1935), “Too Many Cooks” (1938), “The Golden Spiders” (1953), “Champagne for One” (1958), “Gambit” (1962) and “A Family Affair” (1975).
I wrote him back about my favorite comfort books. I’m a murder mystery guy, so Agatha Christie novels are near the top of my list. Give me “Murder on the Orient Express” or “Ten Little Indians” on a rainy Saturday, and I’m good.
Also near the top are the first few books by Thomas Harris, before he went too wild with Hannibal Lecter: “Black Sunday,” “Red Dragon” and “The Silence of the Lambs.” Fictional murder warms my heart.
I love to read books that were the inspirations for movies — just to see how the stories are different. “Jaws” was a great read, with (spoiler alert) an affair between marine biologist Matt Hooper and Chief Brody’s wife, Ellen, which didn’t make it into the movie. “The Godfather” has Fredo’s complete backstory, which the movie ignored. And “The Exorcist” has much more about the friendship between the priest and the detective.
Brewer’s second letter explained his taste in film, which was fascinating.
Great John Wayne and popcorn moviesHe likes John Wayne movies, and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” starring Clint Eastwood.
I’m a big fan of the John Wayne movie “The Cowboys.” And I loved him in “True Grit” and “The Searchers.” I have to admit, I liked Disney’s version of “The Alamo” better than John Wayne’s.
Brewer likes the older “Star Wars” movies better than the newer knockoffs. Who doesn’t?
What are my favorite comfort movies, or “popcorn” movies, as we called them in the old days?
Here’s my top five:
“Groundhog Day”“Rocky”“A Few Good Men”“The Silence of the Lambs”“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”
I wonder if my 20-year-old typewriter pal has seen any of those oldies.
He probably has.
Brewer left me with this thought:
“I do not see it as a surprise that no one would think of a 20-year-old writing letters on a typewriter. … I am the only one of my pals with whom I exchange letters that uses one. But I believe if they could find a good, working machine for cheap, they would likely use one.
“But alas, they seem hard to find now.”
Reach Keith Sharon at 615-406-1594 or [email protected] or on Twitter @KeithSharonTN.
Project 88This story is part of Project 88, which is named for the 88 characters produced on a Smith-Corona typewriter. The Tennessean’s Keith Sharon types letters on his 1953 typewriter and mails them to people all over the world with an envelope and stamp so they can write back. This story originated with a letter Keith received. The question Project 88 is trying to answer is: Will people communicate the old-fashioned way, through heartfelt letters about the best and most challenging days of their lives. This project is not for political rants, and any kind of snail mail letter (typed, hand-written or computer printout) is acceptable. Please include a phone number.
You can be part of Project 88 by writing to:
Keith Sharon
The Tennessean
1801 West End Ave.
16th Floor
Nashville, TN 37203

Entertainment

Look closer, the photographer was not expecting this photo

For most couples, their wedding day is the happiest day of their lives.

A wedding is a celebration of love between two people who choose to spend their lives together. It marks the start of a new journey filled with shared experiences, personal growth, and mutual support.

A wedding is a happy time for the whole family to come together. From saying vows to sharing the first dance, weddings are full of special moments that create lasting memories. These memories are cherished by the couple and their loved ones for years.

When planning their wedding, couples carefully consider every detail to make sure it’s perfect. From choosing the venue to picking the décor and theme, weddings show the couple’s unique love story.

However, in trying to give their guests a unique experience, some couples do strange things. Whether they regret it when they look back at their wedding photos years later, we don’t know. But we do know that some weddings are so awkward they make us question the bride and groom’s sanity, while others are so fun they make us smile.

Check out the video below to see some of the most interesting weddings you’ve ever seen.

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Entertainment

Sydney Sweeney hits back at horrific body shaming comments on viral pictures with incredible response

Sydney Sweeney has posted an Instagram video which included body shaming comments

Sydney Sweeney has hit back at horrific body shaming comments she’s received online with an incredible response.

For famous faces, social media can be an extremely toxic place, and it’s why we’ve seen some celebrities reduce their online presence as a result.

Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney has become the subject of body shaming comments in recent times, and she responded to these on Instagram in the best possible way.

The actor posted a shot clip that began with screenshots of a bunch of body shaming comments she’s received online, including some calling her ‘quite frumpy’, ‘very chunky’ and ‘tubby’.

Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell discuss chemistry
After many screenshots of horrible comments were shown on screen, the video cut to Sweeney in her training gear at the gym.

The video cut to a sign that said ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’ as Sweeney worked hard with a trainer, struck a punching bag and even flipped a large tire in what looked like an extremely intense workout.

Many have flocked to the comments section of the Instagram video to praise Sweeney for her response to the trolls.

“I will never understand the hate in people‘s hearts when it comes to leaving comments like this,” one person commented.

A second added: “Ngl why do people feel entitled to talk about someone’s body specially someone you don’t personally know,” while a third remarked: “No one has the right or reason to make comments on anyones body, ever.”

Meanwhile, Lili Reinhart penned: “It’s always wild to see people publicly out themselves as pieces of shit with comments like that. You look incredible and your dedication to your project is very inspiring.”

The video actually concluded with the name ‘Christy Martin’ being shown on the screen, which is a nod to Sweeney’s upcoming biopic where she plays a famed female boxer.

Boxing fans will likely know Martin is a is a former professional boxer who earned herself the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009.

Sweeney has spoken previously about her process of getting into her movie character, telling The Los Angeles Times in March that she’s a ‘very hands-on collaborator’.

“I like being able to give ideas, be a part of it, help come up with solutions. It just changes the whole process,” she said.

Sweeney continued: “It’s so hard for me now to be on a set and not be able to help in any type of way and be able to take action. And being able to actually have a voice and have a valued opinion—it means so much.”

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Entertainment

‘Australia’s most sexually active woman’ reveals outrageous bedroom goal for 2025

A woman who has been dubbed the “most sexually active woman” in Australia has set her sights on a big goal for 2025.

You’ve probably heard of Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips attempting to break outrageous records in the bedroom – and Annie Knight has now thrown her hat into the ring too.

“When I watched that clip of Lily crying and everyone was saying, ‘Oh my god, this poor girl,’ I just thought, well, she’s been getting railed all day by 100 different guys… imagine putting your body through that,” Knight told Metro.

“Yes, it’s emotionally taxing, but isn’t that like any job?” she added. “Everyone has moments where they’re like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this anymore.’ You do get really stressed. She’d be exhausted; her body would be exhausted. When you’re tired, your emotions are high.”

Knight also noted that some of the men involved in Phillips’ session were reportedly rude to her, emphasizing that dealing with negativity can be challenging in any profession.

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