The English: Are They Human? Case Study 6: Legal Oddities

The Maestro - October 1, 2020September 30, 2020

Despite controlling one-third of the world's landmass and one-quarter of its population at its peak in the late 19th century, one really has to wonder if the English are even civilized in the first place. As Indian historian and MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor stated in a 2015 speech at Oxford

The English: Are They Human? Case Study 5: The Battle of Fishguard

The Maestro - September 24, 2020September 22, 2020

The English: Are They Human? Case Study 4: On Whale Sovereignty

The Maestro - September 17, 2020September 16, 2020

The English: Are They Human? Case Study 3: Henry I and the Eel Dinner

The Maestro - September 10, 2020September 8, 2020

The English: Are They Human? Case Study 2: George II and Dying On the John

The Maestro - September 3, 2020September 12, 2020

The English: Are They Human? Case Study 1: The Hartlepool Monkey Hangers

The Maestro - August 27, 2020September 12, 2020

Welcome to The Maestro's newest series! Over the next few months, we're going to be following in the footsteps of famed Dutch sociologist G.J. Renier, a brilliant man who tried, and failed, to understand English society and its myriad peculiarities and ridiculousness. Of all the nations in the world, I

Waiting For Football: Your 2020 New England Patriots Season Preview

The Maestro - August 20, 2020August 20, 2020

A football stadium. A goalpost. Evening. (SULLY, sitting on a sideline, is trying to take off his shoe. He pulls at it with both hands, panting. He gives up, exhausted, rests, tries again. As before. Enter TAWMMY.) SULLY: (Giving up again) Nothin’ tah be done. TAWMMY: (Advancing with short, stiff strides, legs

CFL Beat – Quarantine Edition: End of the Line – Your 2020 Wrap-Up

The Maestro - August 20, 2020August 17, 2020

Hi, folks. With the unfortunate news from Monday that the CFL is cancelling the 2020 season, this will be the final Beat until resumption of training camp for the 2021 regular season. I am very disappointed, of course, by this news - the uncertainty over this year has lingered for

CFL Beat – Quarantine Edition: The 65th Grey Cup

The Maestro - August 13, 2020August 11, 2020

Hi again, folks. The CFL Beat is back this week with a look at another memorable weather-related fiasco, featuring the frozen turf of a roofless Olympic Stadium - the infamous "Ice Bowl" of 1977, featuring the Edmonton Football Team and hometown Montreal Alouettes! Date: November 27, 1977 Venue: Olympic Stadium, Montreal, QC Attendance:

CFL Beat – Quarantine Edition: The 38th Grey Cup

The Maestro - August 6, 2020July 26, 2020

Hi again, folks. The CFL Beat is back this week with a look at the first Grey Cup game captured on video, and one of the most memorable weather-related fiascos of all time: the 38th Grey Cup, or as many better know it by, "The Mud Bowl!" Date: November 25, 1950 Venue:

CFL Beat – Quarantine Edition: The 69th Grey Cup

The Maestro - July 30, 2020July 25, 2020

Hi again, folks. The CFL Beat is back this week with a look at the CFL's 1981 championship game - the first time in pro football history that two Black quarterbacks faced each other for a title! The team now known as the Edmonton Football Team met the team now

CFL Beat – Quarantine Edition: The 50th Grey Cup

The Maestro - July 23, 2020July 20, 2020

Hi again, folks. The CFL Beat is back this week with a look at the CFL's 1962 championship game - the first Grey Cup game to ever be broadcast on American TV, hereafter referred to as "The Fog Bowl!" Date: December 1st and 2nd, 1962 Venue: Exhibition Stadium, Toronto, ON Attendance: 32,655 Winnipeg Blue