MISTER FADED GLORY
I'd call this blog a "Critique of Life," except that sounds way too pretentious.
Watch for my first novel, These Monks, a comedy about friendship, frustration, and Des Moines, available later this year.
Email me: jjh(at)misterfadedglory.com.
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Author Archives: JJH
How Banks Can Win [Banking 301]
With one cheeky headline, Consumerist details a possible revenue and goodwill stream for banks: “Good for all your banking and personal printing needs.” Instead of ironic, they’re not far off. Banks have been trying to monetize or channel this type … Continue reading
Posted in Banking, Ideas
Tagged Banks, business centers, Consumerist, innovation, kinkos, poor sap, small business, wells fargo
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What We’ve Learned: The Walking Dead, “Triggerfinger.” [TV Review]
Fair warning: “What We’ve Learned” may undergo some growing pains throughout its life. Let’s just get that straight going in. But, give everyone a break, including this twisted feature. It’s the zombie-pocalypse! There’s bound to be an adjustment period as … Continue reading
Posted in Television, The Walking Dead
Tagged Fail, fail, Hate, rants, sarcasm, Walking Dead, writing
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The Simpsons: Top 10 from 500 [TV]
The Simpsons’ 500th episode may seem more backhanded compliment than cause for celebration. After all, we’re a long way from the murderer’s row seasons four, five, six, seven, and eight. In fact, there’s a better chance I’ll turn away … Continue reading
How to succeed in reporting, business, and everything else [Journalism]
Dave Kindred, sentinel of sports reporting, checked in this week with an optimistic defense of the current state of sports journalism. Spoiler alert: He’s right. Kindred always provides a thoughtful read, but perhaps unwittingly described a typical touchpoint in the … Continue reading
The No. 6 most overused cliche in content marketing [Writing]
You tell me that “we’re all in content marketing.” I’ll wearily agree that’s sort of true. No matter how exasperated overuse of the term “content” makes me (previously “copy,” “product,” “articles,” “destinations,” “brochures,” etc.), I’ll concede that refinement of our … Continue reading
Posted in Product Marketing
Tagged cliches, Content, Contently, Copyblogger, Dictionary, Quirks, writing
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The Walking Dead: “Nebraska” [What We’ve Learned]
As you know, class, in the post-apocalyptic, nightmarish, barren, haunted wasteland following a zombie attack, it’s important to maintain some sort of semblance of education. Otherwise, what would happen? Yes, yes, we know, Laurie. Put your hand down. Of course, … Continue reading
BANKS: Either they’re evil or you’re an idiot. [Marketing]
What are we upset about today? Oh, I get it. You’re mad at your bank, again. How dare they deliver coupons to your inbox, or permit advertising within your bank statement? Just another example of a dastardly bank conspiring against … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Banking, Marketing
Tagged Advertising, Bank Of America, Banks, Consumerist, Economy, Interchange, Overdraft, PNC Bank
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A Friend of the Family [Book Review]
An engrossing novel with wry commentary on the dysfunctional nature of family, Lauren Grodstein’s A Friend of the Family is an excellent surprise – one of my favorite novels of the last few years. Though the title and even the … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Reading, Writing
Tagged A Friend of the Family, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Favorites, Fiction, Lauren Grodstein, Literary Fiction, Novels
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Steven Spielberg movies, in order [Random Film Review]
Maybe you missed my reviews of War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin, two movies I liked — manipulations and irrational exuberance included. Maybe you wonder where they rank on the Spielberg spectrum? With no additional explanation: 26. Indiana Jones … Continue reading
Posted in Film, War on Slate
Tagged Indiana Jones, Last Cruade, Steven Spielberg, War Horse, War on Slate
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How to build a cheeky sports blog with everyone else’s ideas [Grantland Review]
First, there’s nothing wrong with Grantland. Let’s just get that out of the way. It’s fine. As a landing spot for talented essayists yearning to boost their profile, it’s understandable. As a home for willful expansion of silly twitter asides, … Continue reading
Posted in Irony?, Sports, Sports Media, Writing
Tagged AV Club, blogs, Chuck Klosterman, Content Marketing, Deadspin, Drew Magary, ESPN, Filmdrunk, Grantland, Hipsters, Katie Baker, Kissing Suzy Kolber, Louis CK, Lunchroom Effect, Simmons, Strategy, Videogum, Web sites
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The Adventures of Tintin [Movie Review]
“Settle down, John,” I seethed, muttering to myself. “You haven’t lost your edge. Not even close.” /sips $9-dollar “medium” vat of diet soda “No, there’s nothing wrong with going to the movies. Not even a Spielberg movie. Not even to … Continue reading
Posted in Column Gimmicks, Film
Tagged First Person, Golden Globes, Herges, Indulgent, Steven Spielberg, Take that Faulkner, The Adventures of Tintin, Tintin
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