People Get Ready: It's the Best Of List Time of the Year. And Decade.

Well, here we go again.

If you look at the Blog Archive on the right hand side of this blog, in a non-mobile format, you'll see that the origins of SethSaith.com date back to 2004.

And, although somewhat sporadically and without images, I did post a good number of articles over the next few years.

But I generally regard December 2009 as when I really began maintaining this blog in earnest.

Then, I posted about 30 lists covering The Best--or My Favorite--This or That (Plays, Musicals, Albums, Restaurants, etc., etc.) of the 2000-2009 decade.

And now another decade has past.

So over the next month, I'll be sharing my picks in several categories--probably not as many as in 2009--and perhaps looping in some pals to help with certain idioms.

But, as beginning in 2010, I've posted "Best of the Year" lists in about 10 key categories each year, I'm also going to do likewise for 2019.

So you, and certainly I, might get a bit list weary--and I will keep posting reviews as I see shows--but beware that these selection posts will be populating this blog for most of the month.

Feel free to add your own lists, or just some picks, in the blog comments--and/or on Facebook or Twitter if seeing the posts when I share them there.

And if anyone asks you to cite your "Favorite Blog of the Decade," perhaps consider mention this one.

Thanks for reading over the years.

If stats are to be believed, I've had nearly 1.4 million pageviews across the decade.

Which, of course, many websites garner on a daily basis. Yet it still sounds flattering to me.

All the Best,
Seth

Proof That Life is a Crapshoot: A Somewhat Random, Somewhat Revelatory Look at the 2009 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft

Link to read this story

Last month, in what has been the biggest trade of this baseball off-season, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired first baseman Paul Goldschmidt from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Unless you're a really avid baseball fan, you might not even know his name, but he's been one of the game's best players for the past several years.

This includes being an All-Star each of the last six seasons, hitting at least 33 home runs in four of those and winding in the top-11 of MVP voting five times, with three top-3 finishes.

Now 31, Goldschmidt made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks on August 1, 2011 at the age of 23.

Just two summers before, after three years of college--at Texas State University, where he had considerable success--Goldschmidt was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the annual MLB Amateur Draft.

In the 8th round!!!

245 players--at least 200 of whom even the most hardcore baseball fan has likely never heard of--were selected before Paul Goldschmidt.

To which the few of you actually reading this might say, "Big fecking deal, it happens," which is of course, true.

Mike Piazza, now a Hall of Famer, was famously drafted in the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft. 1389 players were taken ahead of him, none of whom have or likely will make the Hall of Fame.

So yes, baseball--and any sport--is littered with stories of "Can't Miss" prospects who surely did, and conversely, lightly-regarded players who became legends.

Click image to enlarge; click here to access

But without trying to make this some kind of treatise or thesis, I've long been fascinated by the "hits and misses" of the MLB Amateur Draft--which has far more rounds than the NFL, NBA or NHL drafts--at face value, but also as some sort of life lesson.

Now before I get too deep into this, let me explain a few things.

It's the beginning of 2019 and, after posting a bunch of "Best of 2018" lists on this Seth Saith blog, I don't yet have anything obvious to write about.

I haven't seen any concerts, musicals or plays to review, and don't have much coming up soon.

And without wishing to reveal much, some systems are down at work, so there isn't much to do.

As a baseball fan, I often like to peruse Baseball-Reference.com, and while glancing through draft classes isn't anything new for me, I have presently focused on 2009--partly due to Goldschmidt, partly because it's now a decade ago, partly due to other anomalies I'll address, but really kind of randomly as well.

Other than as a Pepsi and peanuts vendor in my teen years, I've never worked for a baseball team, and have no real knowledge--beyond reading and seeing Moneyball, itself providing widely-universal life lessons--about how their front offices and scouting systems work.

Mike Trout page on Baseball-Reference.com

I imagine there are some differences between teams in how the scouting operation is structured and how well it is funded, but my assumption is that every major league franchise spends millions each year in employing numerous scouts--and perhaps also relying on freelancers and purchasable resources--in order to gauge the talent of high school and college baseball players across the country...and around the world.

Especially when it comes to baseball as baseball--and not some allegory--that end part is an increasingly important caveat.

Unless it has changed recently in ways which I'm unaware, the MLB Amateur Draft focuses only on selecting players from high schools and colleges in the United States, including Puerto Rico. Currently there are 40 rounds and about 1,200 selections made by the 30 teams, with a few more "supplemental" picks I won't delve into here.

Click image to enlarge; click here for article

The draft used to be even bigger; in 2009, when Goldschmidt went #246, there were 50 rounds and 1,521 picks made.

But per the latest statistics I could find, nearly 30% of current major leaguers--and presumably a similar portion of those in the minor leagues--are from other countries: the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Japan, Korea, Cuba, etc., and unless they moved to the U.S. to play high school or college ball, they weren't part of the amateur draft.

Teams otherwise scout and sign non-U.S. players, without a draft system. (I don't know the success rate for foreign player acquisitions, but imagine it is also relatively low.)

With minor league affiliates to populate at at least 4 different levels, major league franchises presumably expect most draft picks will never reach the major leagues, let alone become starters or stars, and the influx of fantastic foreign players makes the chances even lower.

Still, in trying to get to my real point here, every major league franchise spends millions of dollars and man-hours on "baseball experts" who presumably possess a somehow proven ability to gauge the abilities of young ballplayers and--without meaning disrespect to the scouts or players who "miss"--they are incredibly wrong most of the time.

Hence, in general, take "expert" assessment--or people telling you what you can or cannot do or become--with a grain of salt.

For although, generally, a good portion of first round picks wind up making the major leagues, consider this:

In Round #1 in 2009, 49 players were selected. Of these, only 6 position players have had 900 or more big league at bats, and just 13 pitchers have appeared in more than 100 games.

I know these are old-school stats, but there are only two 2009 first-rounders with 90+ major league home runs and just 4 pitchers with 50 wins.

Some players are drafted out of high school--and may or may not sign at that point--and others out of college, so ages vary among the 2009 class from about 27 to 31. Hence, my bar for "making it" may not be universally applicable, but the point is that only about 12% of the 2009 first-round truly has.

And the biggest superstar by far--Mike Trout--went #25, to the Angels, who with their first-pick of round one took Randal Grichuk at #24 (he's turned out pretty good too, as the only other 90+ homer guy, but has 91 to Trout's 240).

You can see Round 1 of the 2009 MLB Draft here--and all the rounds of all drafts by entering the proper variables--so I won't add to anyone's Google grief by naming highly-drafted players who "didn't make it," but the guys taken #3 and #5 never even reached the major leagues, and there are very few starters, let alone stars, from the 1st round. (Other draft classes are likewise hit and mostly miss.)

But what really strikes me is that--besides Trout, who himself shows the fallibility of so-called experts--there are far more great successes taken in Round 7 or later than in the 49-pick first round.

And I'm only counting here the draft slot upon which a player was signed, as many--such as Goldschmidt in Round 49--were taken out of high school, didn't sign, and were re-selected higher after college.

The fun--now I tell you--really is in some of the specifics. (These are all 2009 draft/signee examples.)

- J.D. Martinez (195 career HR; full stats) - 20th round (pick #611)

- Khris Davis (48 HR in 2018; full stats) - 7th round (226)

- Matt Carpenter (36 HR in 2018; full stats) - 13th round (399)

- Dallas Keuchel (2015 Cy Young winner; full stats) - 7th round (221)

- Dan Straily (132 pitching starts; stats) - 24th round (723)

- Scooter Gennett (2018 All-Star; stats) - 16th round (496)

- Trevor Rosenthal (great closer before injury; stats) - 21st round (639)

- Matt Adams (96 HR; stats) - 23rd round (699) - like Rosenthal, taken by the Cardinals

- Brian Dozier (172 HR; stats) - 8th round (252) - 6 picks after Goldschmidt

- Yan Gomes (2018 All-Star; stats) - 10th round (310)

- Justin Bour (84 HR; stats) - 25th round (770)

- Brandon Belt (112 HR; stats) - 5th round (147)

- Kyle Seager (175 HR; stats) - 3rd round (82)

- Nolan Arenado (186 HR; stats) - 2nd round (59)

So sure, the first overall pick in 2009, Stephen Strasburg, has had a pretty stalwart career (stats), despite a number of injuries.

And some other players--Mike Leake (taken at #8), A.J. Pollock (#17), Grichuk, James Paxton (#37)--have had decent careers, with a few others having some solid seasons.

But pretty much all the other first-rounders from 2009--except, of course, Trout--have been flops, to one extent or another. Some perhaps due to injury; others, who knows why?

I respect the game of baseball--and how difficult it must be to hit or pitch a ball consistently, for years on end--enough not to belittle anyone who, despite clearly formidable talent, failed to make it.

The success rate is so low, even among the "can't miss," that I also won't condemn scouts or teams for getting it right so seldomly. Or wrong so often.

Though I do ponder whether there is some systemic issue that doesn't allow even the most adroit scouts to identify players who will make it vs. those who won't. Is it really that much of a crapshoot?

But well beyond baseball, or athletics, it does make you wonder:

If so much effort and expertise is invested into ascertaining "who will be great?" with so little acuity, why believe what anyone says about you and your potential. 

Whatever you wish to do, in the New Year and beyond, don't feel daunted.

24 teams--even his own--didn't know Mike Trout would become the best player in baseball, as he has been since the age of 20.

And you can be pretty sure that none of the 610 people drafted ahead of J.D. Martinez--despite a few similar success stories cited above--after he had played at Nova Southeastern University, in 2018 hit .330 with 43 home runs, 130 RBI and a 1.031 OPS playing for the World Champion Boston Red Sox.

Or earned $23.75 million.

And before you tell me AL MVP Mookie Betts was even better, even he was just a 5th round pick, #172 overall, in 2011.

Nobody knows.

Anything is possible.

As the great Joe Strummer--who has nothing to do with baseball--once said:

The future is unwritten.

If I May Saith So Myself: Past Blog Posts You May Enjoy Anew

I've maintained Seth Saith since September 2004 and quite steadily & voluminously since December 2009. With over 1,400 posts comprising several million words, even I've forgotten much that I've written. And while the vast majority of posts have been theater and concert reviews, there have been several pieces on a variety of topics.

Here are a few--some randomly selected, some not--that hopefully still have some relevancy and make for good reading. (Some photos may have dropped off and time doesn't allow for me to resurrect them at this point.)

● The Commonality Conversation, or One Small Suggestion Toward How To Stop Bullying (May 11, 2012)

● The Socio-Cinematic 70s: When the Movies Had Something to Say (March 23, 2014)

● In Exhibit of Big Name Impressionists, Federico Zandomeneghi Makes a Surprising Impression -- An Art Exposition (January 5, 2012)

● The Erosion of Associative Learning (and Its Detrimental Effects) (Sept. 8, 2013)

● It's the End of the World as We Know It and I Feel Sad ... and Appreciative ... and Fine -- A Tribute to R.E.M. (Sept. 23, 2011)

● London Beyond the Werewolves, Again: An Updated Travel Guide (July 18, 2014)

● The Beautiful Oeuvre of Catherine Deneuve (May 31, 2014)

● At 85, Life is Still But a Dream for Mr. Canoe, Ralph Frese (October 9, 2011; Mr. Frese passed in late 2012)

● Guest Post: In His Old Neighborhood, Nelson Algren's 105th Birthday Party Celebrates a Chicago Gone By (April 7, 2014)

● Show A Little Faith, There's Magic in the Night - Concert Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Detroit / Auburn Hills (April 14, 2012)

● The Chicago Dining World Tour: An Exceptional Evening of Eating Like an Ethiopian (October 12, 2013)

● Citizen Kane vs. Casablanca, a classic debate (April 9, 2010)

A Picture with the World Series Trophy ... and a Selfie-Obsessed Look Back at the Cubs' 2016 Championship Run

As so beautifully captured above, this past Saturday I was able to have my picture taken with the Cubs' 2016 World Series Champions Trophy. To do so, I drove 30 miles to Naperville--there are no scheduled Cubs Trophy Tour stops near my Skokie home--and waited in line for 3-1/2 hours...including 2-1/2 outside in sub-zero wind chill.

I arrived at 9:00am for the event scheduled for 11am-1pm at Naperville City Hall. My understanding is that pictures with the trophy began closer to 10:00am, so I can't say nothing was done in light of the thousands waiting in the bitter cold. The building had been opened at 7:00am and supposedly all the indoor waiting space was filled soon thereafter.

But with due respect to matters of security, fire codes, etc., it seemed many more people could have waited inside the large building than were let in. Per an article I read, Naperville knew thousands were due to come, yet only seemed to let hundreds in before those in front had their turn with the trophy.

Anyway, I was damn cold for quite awhile, but seem to have survived and--as I posted on Facebook--the trophy was "worth its wait in gold."

Unlike at the first Trophy Tour stop, the trophy was encased in Naperville--as it has been at stops since the one at the new Cubs Store on Michigan Ave. in Chicago--but I understand why that makes sense.

And I was glad I went.

To accompany the picture above, and compile the ones below in one place--mainly for my own sake--here are other photos of me taken during and since the Cubs' championship run. (I think I'll occasionally post some silly "selfies" of me, and this seems like a good place to start.)

At a Oct. 15, 2016 wedding; aka NLCS Game 1

On my way to the parade

I, Me, Mine: On Turning 48, The Seth Saith Interview...With Myself

Hi Seth, thanks for doing this
Hi Seth, you're welcome. Thanks for asking.

This probably seems a bit strange, but it felt like a fun way to do a self-reflection post for the 48th birthday.
Sure, and probably quite self-absorbed, too, but although I haven't conducted too many blog interviews lately, I've always enjoyed what can be learned and revealed in the process. Plus, I like to self-reflect--probably as some kind of ego salve. So ask away.

So how does it feel to turn 48?
Well, my pat answer is: better than the alternative. And while 48 does sound a bit old, especially with the reality that I've already lived far more years than I'll continue to, probably by a wide margin, that doesn't really daunt me and I'm pretty happy in my day-to-day existence. That's all that you can really ask.

Why are you so happy? 
I wouldn't necessarily say "so happy," as there are many joys in life I can't celebrate, such as that a wife and kids can undoubtedly bring, and I've never had much in the way of romance, companionship, dating, etc. Career wise, I've long been mired in unemployment or intermittency, and although I've had a good (if not all that creatively-fulfilling) job for the past 6 months, it was only temporary and is slated to end this Friday.

But I have great relationships with a few close relatives and friends, find terrific nourishment in culture, entertainment, sports fandom and other outlets--such as this blog--and while there certainly are moments of doubt, despair and darkness, I guess on most days, and in most hours of most days, I find reasons to enjoy life, actively.

What are some of those reasons?
As much as possible, I do things that I enjoy--going to concerts and theater and museums, watching sports and movies and TV, reading a bit, appreciating art, learning, even if no longer in an academic way, traveling, trying a variety of restaurants, etc.--and that give me, perhaps, a grounding, nourishment and emotional sustenance.

It may sound trite, but I really believe art is our salvation, and being able to embrace Springsteen or Sondheim or Picasso, etc., etc., etc., as deeply as I do is probably what keeps me happy, and perhaps even sane and alive.

Without it seems, other overt forms of self-medication? 
Well, I obviously eat too much, and I'm sure there's some sort of psychological bandage at play there, so in no way do I purport that I'm doing things better than anyone else. Probably worse. But I likely consume fewer than 10 alcoholic drinks in a given year and never touch recreational drugs. And without meaning to convey any negativity about these things, the strength and support many seem to find through religion, psychiatry, etc., so far for me have been sufficiently supplied by rock 'n roll, theater, art, etc. And of course, the love and support of family and friends. My outlook would certainly not be as psychologically or philosophically bright without some key people in my life, most especially my mom.

What would be your advice in regards to maintaining a healthy outlook? 
Try your best to avoid comparison, envy, judgment and anger. There will always be people doing better than you, and others struggling far worse. And always believe that you're special, just not any more so than anyone else.

How are you feeling physically at 48?
Day-to-day, very well, at least as opposed to illness, again, knock on wood. I've been working at a job for the last 6 months and haven't missed a day of work. In my adult life, I've never spent a day in the hospital. But without wanting to get too specific, I'm on a variety of medications to essentially combat being overweight, and I'm not oblivious to the risks I've engendered. My heart is still supposedly in good shape, thankfully, but I'm aware I'm at an age when people start having heart attacks.

So why don't you lose weight?
My doctor would tell you I don't have a good answer for that, just excuses. Such as that I don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs, etc., so damn if I'm giving up cheeseburgers.

Clearly I know that it would be beneficial from a health standpoint, in reducing prescription costs and even theoretically in helping to meet women (or at least feeling more confident about it). But I don't particularly enjoy exercising, nor depriving myself of foods that I favor, and excepting the repercussions, being fat doesn't make me acutely unhappy.

How are you going to celebrate your birthday?
As silly as it sounds in juxtaposition, undoubtedly with some good meals. Yesterday a friend at work took me to a good lunch. Last night I had dinner with my mom, sister Allison and some good family friends. Tonight I'm going to the wedding of a close friend's son. My friend Paolo is taking me to the Cubs playoff game tomorrow, then I'll have another dinner with mom and Allison Monday. Plus likely other meals with co-workers and friends. And I tend to treat myself pretty well. So even though there won't be any kind of party, or even a Movie Night, which I've hosted in previous years but have postponed in deference to the Cubs, there shouldn't be a shortage of merriment.

That was quite some game the other night, huh?
I probably shouldn't admit this--or even have asked about it--for fear of excommunication from Kingdom Cub, but I fell asleep before the 9th inning on Tuesday night. It certainly wasn't looking good for Cubs and after staying up most--but not all--of the way on Monday night, I was really tired, plus I had begun fasting for Yom Kippur (despite not being particularly observant) so I was a bit hungry too.

So around the 8th inning, I conked out, but while thinking how cool it would be to wake and learn the Cubs had miraculously won. And that's exactly what happened, actually around 2:30am. So though I felt sheepish to have missed it, it nonetheless felt pretty terrific.

So have you been praying for the Cubs?
No. Although I was raised Jewish and have respect for my heritage--hence the Yom Kippur fasting, and family dinners on holidays--I'm not religious, and any "belief" in a higher power feels more like superstition than faith. So I don't really pray in any officious way, and when I do, let's say, ask for help from above, it's about life and death matters. Recently, I did so about two close relatives facing health challenges, and things turned out well (knock on wood). That's far more important than baseball outcomes, so the Cubs will have to be on their own.

And what about the upcoming election?
Again, not for me a reason for prayer, but I'm certainly hoping Hillary wins, and expect her to. Which normally wouldn't be cause for great jubilation, but under the circumstances...

Are you concerned about the state of America right now?
Yes and no. I don't think it's possible to know that a sizable percentage of Americans will be casting a vote for Donald Trump to be our president, and not be greatly concerned for what that means about the principles of equality, respect, tolerance, etc. And believe me, I don't see Hillary as a savior, and have been disappointed with what Obama was able to get done. The crushing of the middle class while Wall Street ran criminally unchecked is what has led not only to Bernie Sanders--who I supported--but Donald Trump.

But instead of taking the professorial approach like Bernie, which can't work because concepts like financial derivatives and credit default swaps and other triggers for the financial meltdown from which we've never really recovered are too hard for most to grasp--though I really suggest everyone read The Big Short, and also Flash Boys, also by Michael Lewis--Trump just points at scapegoats. The historical precedent is obviously chilling.

Still, much as when you watch a newscast and largely see bad news, but not day-to-day stories of teachers inspiring kids or doctors working miracles or even just friends chatting over lunch, I believe it's possible to be realistic, pessimistic and optimistic all at the same time. Savor the good, try to fix the bad.

What about personally? What's your outlook look like?
It's not impossible to believe I could land a new job--at least another temporary one--in a few weeks, but also not inconceivable that I could be without income for quite some time. I may never get another full-time, career-advancing job.

But even with my current one slated to end, because the work I was hired to help with is slowing down, I was told that I did excellent work, they liked having me around, they will miss me and wish they could keep me. And colleagues are even trying to help position me for another possible role with the company.

So even though the situation might seem distressing, it actually makes me feel pretty good about myself.

What are you proudest about through your first 48 years of life?
That I have great relationships with my family. That I've had the same best friend since the first day of kindergarten. That I have a good handful of other great friends, including some made in fairly recent years. That I have passions that enrich my life, and which I try to share. That I've traveled extensively. That I amuse myself.

Just for the record, where have you traveled?
Most major U.S. cities and many European capitals, some National Parks, Australia, Rio, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Israel and Egypt. A nice photographic retrospective can be seen here.

I've been to every current Major League ballpark except the one in Tampa (and soon Atlanta), more than 150 art museums, dozens of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses, some of the best restaurants in the world. 

What's on your bucket list?
Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal. I'm hoping to get to Cuba fairly soon. I'd like to explore much of the Far East, which I haven't to date. And Colmar, France has caught my fancy, perhaps paired with Basel, Switzerland.

You seem to have many cultural interests; why is that important to you?
Put simply, I think exploring, witnessing, experiencing and appreciating greatness gives me purpose in life, and as I noted before, sustenance. And a reason to write this blog, which I enjoy.

What do you recommend these days?
I recently got to see Hamilton for the first time, and can't recommend it enough. But to get what you should out of it, I think you need to put some time into it. Listen to the cast recording, read the lyrics, check out some reviews, interviews with the show's creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and feature articles. Understand some of the history the show contains, before you get to the theater. Because while there is nothing like live theater, I think 75% of the brilliance of Hamilton can be appreciated without having to get yourself a ticket, which can obviously be quite difficult and/or expensive.

What are you reading, watching, etc.
I recently signed up for Hulu in order to see Ron Howard's documentary on the Beatles, Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years, which was fun though not really all that revelatory.

But having Hulu let me watch the 11.22.63 mini-series (8 episodes) based on the Stephen King book about a guy who goes back in time to try to stop Lee Harvey Oswald from killing JFK. I enjoyed it, but probably because I had read the book some years ago. I'm currently reading the Bruce Springsteen autobiography, Born to Run. I've written here often about Harlan Coben, my favorite contemporary author, and enjoyed his latest, Home, though wouldn't suggest starting there. And of course, I'm watching the Cubs. 

How do you afford to go to so many events?
MasterCard. But though I do spend a good bit on spectator events, it's less than it may seem. Most theater I go to these days is either part of a subscription costing me around $25 per show, or complimentary as some theaters have been inviting me to Press Nights. Concerts aren't cheap, but I usually go for the cheapest ticket available--often under face on the aftermarket--and whenever possible, don't pay for parking (such as at the United Center, where I park on the street). I have a relatively low mortgage and property taxes, no car loan--I have 157,000 miles on my 2005 Dodge Stratus and hope it lasts another 50K miles--and, of course, I don't have to pay for orthodontists or school clothes or expenses others may have.

What makes this a happy birthday?
All of the above, everyone who may be reading this--even those I don't know personally--and the possibilities of what's to come. 

Any closing thoughts for me?
My three favorite abiding principles:

1, by Monty Python: "Always look on the bright side of life."

2, by my hero, Bruce Springsteen, from the song Badlands, "Badlands, you gotta live it every day, let the broken hearts stand as the price you've gotta pay, we'll keep pushin' till it's understood and these badlands start treating us good."

and

3, by me, or in this case, you: "If it won't matter tomorrow, it don't matter today." In other words, don't get pissed at traffic jams or other minor annoyances; I think you'll be happier for it.

Thanks again, Seth
Sure, no problem.

The Best of 2014: Looking Back at Some Favorite Blog Posts Before Moving Forward

Per a variety of measures, both personal and universal, it would probably seem foolish for me to call 2014 a wonderful year.

I only worked for about 4 months, and a job that I expected to continue into the New Year hasn't.

I was healthy but in an unhealthy way, which is to say I didn't lose the weight that would undoubtedly improve a lot of things.

I did not experience any major life events, or even notable developments, whether romantically, financially, professionally or otherwise.

So some people might think I had a pretty crappy year, and perhaps in some ways I did.

But I've never been one to base my day-to-day happiness--or even my measure of "success"--on my job or income level, even when I've had relatively prosperous years and earned considerable professional praise.

To whatever extent I can, I try to find some way, or perhaps several, to acutely enjoy every day--and ideally to enlighten myself along the way.

As this blog illustrates--even just through my series of Best of 2014 posts over the past two weeks--I have enjoyed a great deal of quality entertainment, culture, dining and more. And even more so, I'm grateful for wonderful family and friends, old and new, who are worth more than me than riches ever could be.

So with some positive employment prospects but nothing near definite, I'm beginning 2015 with hopes that things may improve professionally--for me and others--but appreciative of just how terrific 2014 was overall, especially in terms of things that truly matter.

So before looking forward, I thought I'd look back once more at 2014 and some of the things I wrote in this space.

According to statistics provided by Blogger, Seth Saith once again had over 200,000 pageviews in 2014, and I can't deny that writing and maintaining it--for no monetary gain--is one of the more fulfilling aspects of my life.

So forgive my self-indulgence in sharing a few of my most-read and otherwise favorite Blog Posts.

For the most part, these won't include reviews--you can find links to some of my favorite shows & attractions in my Best Concerts, Plays, Musicals, Other Live Entertainment and Museums posts--but more in-depth pieces I (and occasionally others) wrote on a variety of topics.

Nelson Algren

Top 5 Most-Read Seth Saith Posts:

1. Outstanding Retrospective Takes Kandinsky Out of the Abstract
2. The Socio-Cinematic 70s: When the Movies Had Something to Say
3. Celebrating 'Black History Month' with Direct Links to the Past
4. Guest Post: In His Old Neighborhood, Nelson Algren's 105th Birthday Party Celebrates a Chicago Gone By -- written by my friend Ken
5. Alone in a Paradise, Neil Young Captivates the Faithful  

Other Favorites of Mine

- A Legend in His Own Time...and Place -- Chicago Concert Review: Buddy Guy at Legends
- A Master of His Art: An Appreciation of Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014)
- "How Can There Be Global Warming When It's So Friggin' Cold?"
- It Was 50 Years Ago Today, The Beatles Taught the World to Play: The Impact of Their First Appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show
- Pulling the Christopher Wool Over My Eyes? -- Pondering the Current State of Art
- Neo-Bohemian Rhapsody: On Great Cheap Jazz and Perhaps Even the Sound of Salvation

Catherine Deneuve

- Crunching Numbers for the Boss (and Reasons to Believe Bruce Springsteen is the Greatest Entertainer of Our Time)
- Happy 100th Birthday, Wrigley Field! -- Celebrating a Century of Splendor (and Futility)
- All Things Must Pass: On the End of Hot Doug's and the Admirable Antithesis of Conventional Wisdom
- Another Frank Lloyd Wright Tour -- of Chicago's Emil Bach House -- and a Guide
- The Beautiful Oeuvre of Catherine Deneuve
- Are You Ready For Some Futebol? Jordan and Paolo Preview the World Cup (Providing Help for Neophytes Like Me) -- follow up pieces: 2, 3, 4
- Magic in the Night, 30 Years Burning Down the Road: Remembering My First Springsteen Concert
- London Beyond the Werewolves, Again: An Updated Travel Guide
- Brennan, Buscemi and Greer, Oh, My! -- A Salute to Character Actors Who Always Make the Scene
- Revitalized by the Resurrection of Death -- A Pioneering Punk Band, a Great Documentary and the Beauty of Life's Surprises
- Mourning the Death of Greatness, Lamenting the Lack of Its Rebirth -- On the Passing of Robin Williams and Other Legends

Germany 7 Brazil 1

- With Incisive, Insightful 'Flash Boys,' Michael Lewis Deftly Decodes the Dubious Blur of High-Frequency Trading -- Book Review
- A Story of Friendship that Begins on the First Day of Kindergarten, 1973
- Sorry Haters, but I Still Love U2
- Subterranean Passages: Down in the Pedway, Time Remains Fixed 'Aroundthe Clock'
- Fundamental Transference: Great Artists' Expressions of the Abstract Didn't Come Straight Away
- What a Pane in the Glass: Rueing the Impending Closure of Navy Pier's Smith Museum of Stained Glass
- Takin' It to the Streets: A Friend's First-Hand Account as Chicago Comes Alive in Protest on Thursday Night - written by an anonymous friend

Celebrating a Milestone in Pageviews with a Gift of the Elvi

Believe me, in the grand scheme of substantial web traffic, 500,000 total pageviews is rather small potatoes. I imagine the top blogs get that in a month, if not a day.

And I know Pageviews don't necessarily constitute Visitors, or especially readers, as the counter includes repeat visitors, my views, accidental tourists and those who come via Google Image Search and don't stay.

Nonetheless, I was happy to note that--as I slept--the odometer rolled over 500,000 total pageviews. And so I had a little fun at my expense, paying homage to this album cover. (And yes, I know I would more aptly be in a jumpsuit from the Fat Elvis days.)

Enjoy. And thanks for visiting.

Celebrating 'Black History Month' with Direct Links to the Past

All photos in this collage taken by Seth Arkin. Images and vintage may not directly
correspond to the individuals, places and time period otherwise referenced in this post.

Today is the first day of February, which since 1976 has been officially designated as Black History Month in the United States.

While it is certainly essential that the oppression, struggles, accomplishments, artistry, contributions and strides of African-Americans be remembered, taught, commemorated and/or celebrated, it seems appropriate to do so every day of every year.

So although I initially thought I might write a piece highlighting a few of the many African-American (or just African) leaders, artists, athletes, activists and others who have enriched my life--and in many cases changed the world--it struck me as more organic to mine and link to relevant articles I have written since the beginning of 2010 (when I began updating this blog on a regular basis).

Several of the posts were reviews of shows I saw--which typically include a good bit of background on the performer--while others are simply tributes, perhaps commemorating a milestone birthday or significant event. 

Obviously this does not connote a comprehensive list of all African-Americans who have entertained or enlightened me over the past four years--let alone my entire life--nor certainly all who merit being highlighted and celebrated. 

I don't expect many to read all--or even any--of these past articles, and know that some of them have lost their accompanying photos or have other imperfections.

Yet while I didn't write any of these blog posts about individuals--or in some cases, shows or places--specifically because of the color of anyone's skin, I guess that makes me all the more glad to have appreciated the content of their character.

All photos by Seth Arkin

Michael Jordan

Buddy Guy 2014, 2010

Harry Belafonte speaking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Harry Belafonte 85th Birthday Tribute

John Coltrane

Ravi Coltrane

Sonny Rollins

Joshua Redman

Clarence Clemons

Savion Glover

Denzel Washington

Paul Rusesabagina, real-life hero of Hotel Rwanda

Ernie Banks

Muhammad Ali

Reginald R. Robinson, a modern ragtime pianist

Al Green

Prince

Chuck Berry

Photo of a photograph at Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven
Foundation, the former Chess Records Studio

Chess Records / Willie Dixon / Muddy Waters

Keith Jarrett

Jean-Michael Basquiat

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Crowns by Regina Taylor

Fela about Fela Kuti

Detroit '67 by Dominique Morisseau

Pullman Porter Blues by Cheryl West

The Trinity River Plays by Regina Taylor

Below are a few additional black heroes, performers and places that I saw, visited and/or acutely appreciated within the past decade but didn't write/post about, mostly because--as noted above--I didn't begin blogging consistently until 2010: 

The bus upon which Rosa Parks refused to move to the back.
Now at the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI

Nelson Mandela
Barack Obama
Rosa Parks

Stevie Wonder
Ornette Coleman
McCoy Tyner
B.B. King
Lonnie Brooks
Lil' Ed Williams
David "Fathead" Newman
Tom Morello
Arthur Lee (of Love)
Jimi Hendrix
Chris Rock

Robin Quivers
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Charles S. Dutton and others on Broadway
Ain't Misbehavin' featuring the music of Fats Waller
Caroline, or Change
Apollo Theater, New York
Village Vanguard, New York
Motown Museum, Detroit
Preservation Hall and its Jazz Band, New Orleans

For the most part, the above does not encapsulate movies and documentaries I have seen about, directed by and/or starring African-Americans. These are just a few that I have watched in recent years and found quite worthwhile--with links to IMDB:

Marley (doc about Bob Marley)
Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser
Bird (about Charlie Parker)
Maxwell Street Blues
12 Years a Slave