Jim Nolan's Blog

Niagara Falls Audio Essay

My mom, Christa Nolan, and her friends Marcy Brett and Connie McCreery enjoy a three-hour cruise on the Niagara River, 1969. Groovy pants, Mom.

Niagara River Death Cruise

Shovel Ready, March, 1932

My dad, demonstrating a certain confidence with a snow shovel that is the Buffalonian's birthright. I believe the street is Granger Place. For more on my people's prowess with snow removal, listen below.

Click to hear Jim's Shovel Ready 

Advice from Thomas the Tank Engine's Sir Topham Hatt

Illustration for Forged in Buffalo by Isabella Bannerman.

My audio essay with the wisdom of Topham Hatt, revealed to all.  

My New Mentor, Sir Topham Hatt 

John Cleese on My TomTom GPS

 John Cleese helps me navigate life's twists and turns. My audio essay below.

 John Cleese, The Voice Of Reason

Matt Georger's One of a Kind Buffalo Forge Grill

Matt Georger works in the metal business and re-did his Buffalo Forge grill with a stainless steel pan and other parts. It is totally cool and utterly unique. Also note that Matt has hubcaps on his wheels, which my grill does not. I didn't even know they had hubcaps. Check out my interview with Matt below and learn how he did it. Matt, thanks for all the great Buffalo Forge info over the years and for finding me my grill. 

Listen to Matt Georger's Grill 

Politicians Know, "A Man's Hair Is His Glory"

Cartoon by Isabella Bannerman.

I am of the opinion that men are way more vain than women, especially about their hair. I make my case below, which is also available for 99 cents at iTunes.  

A Man's Hair Is His Glory

Madden 12, Dad 0

An audio essay about my not-so-triumphant return to video games. Length: 2 minutes, 31 seconds.

 Madden 12, Dad 0 

ABBA Gold

ABBA, before they could afford clothes. Later they would cast off their foil shackles and create England's most popular movie of all time. 

 ABBA Is My Waterloo 

Birkenstock Season Continues

Illustration for Forged in Buffalo by Isabella Bannerman

People ask me, Jim, is it okay to wear socks with Birkis? The answer is yes. Just don't ask your family first. 

Listen to Birki Time

Periodic Table of Heavy Metal

Screenshot from The Periodic Table of Heavy Metal

This is a pretty terrific website. Every "element" aggregates songs, links, images, videos, details and more about the band featured. Most of them I've never heard of, but the names are great. Coroner. Nuclear Assault. Grave Digger. How about some happy metal names? Congrats to psyanoid, the person who put it all together. Awesome.

Below is my advice to fathers for raising little headbangers.

Listen to Fathers, Sons and Heavy Metal Music