A Tribute to Leonard Cohen’s ‘Avalanche’ and Nick Cave’s Two Triumphant Covers
My latest is a deep dive into the poetic perfection of Cohen’s song, how Cave brilliantly covered it twice, and why I’m a fan of it all.
‘A Fan’s Notes’ Blog
“It was my fate, my destiny, my end, to be a fan.” —Frederick Exley
Inspired by “A Fan’s Notes”—Exley’s “fictional memoir” published in 1968—this blog explores the everyday objects of my own fandom, from beer to books, from music to sports, from outdoor adventures to travel destinations, and much more.
Featured blog post
‘A Fan’s Notes’ archives
Beer Break: ‘Find What You Love and Let It Kill You’
Time for another beer break—with another Bukowski quote. Some doubt he said these words, but the sentiment sums up the mission of “A Fan’s Notes.”
A Meditation on Jeff Buckley and His Masterpiece, ‘Grace’
On the anniversary of Buckley’s tragic death, I pay tribute to the immensely talented singer-songwriter, his signature album and the connection I feel to an artist gone way too soon.
Writing for Something Other Than Money
Despite the time and energy I put into this blog, I don’t make any money on it. That’s OK, because I’m a fan of writing for reasons beyond a paycheck.
Praise for Print Reference Books
My latest blog explores a longtime preference for print dictionaries and other reference books over their digital counterparts—including the unlikely word that made me a lifelong fan.
The Sublimity of Spring Skiing
Soft snow, warm sun, cold beer and the potential for deep pow make spring perhaps the greatest season to hit the slopes. My latest explains why—and offers tips on how to best enjoy it.
The Musings of a Memphis Grizzlies Fan
After an extended beer break, I return to "A Fan's Notes" with an exhaustive look at how I became, and why I remain, a diehard fan of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Beer Break: A Colorado Brew and Bukowski Quote
The first in an occasional series in which I forego my usual deep dive and let the art (mostly) speak for itself. To begin, an IPA from Nederland and a quote from Charles Bukowski.
An Ode to ‘Annie Hall’
“I would never want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member”—except maybe a club for fans of “Annie Hall.” My latest is a deep dive into Woody Allen’s 1977 masterpiece.
It Was My Fate to Be a Denver Broncos Fan
My story of Broncos fandom begins five decades ago, far from the Mile High City and in an unlikely way. This latest blog details the unusual path I took to becoming a Denver diehard.
Revisiting One of My Favorite Poems
A deep dive into a Baudelaire poem that advises us to “be always drunken”—but not only with alcohol. I explore my relationship with the poem and what it means to also “be drunk on poetry and virtue.”
Three Decades (and Counting) of Steely Dan Fandom
For decades, I’ve been a devotee of Steely Dan—or simply The Dan, which was the brainchild of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. My latest blog explores 30-plus years of being a Danfan.
Introducing ‘A Fan’s Notes,’ the Blog
Welcome to the first installment of my newly launched blog, “A Fan’s Notes.” The title comes from one of my favorite books, Frederick Exley’s 1968 “fictional memoir” of the same name.
Blog archives
Before I launched “A Fan’s Notes” in 2024, I wrote some random blog posts. Below you’ll find a selection of articles I published either on this site or elsewhere.
The Truth About Mary Jo Mayton
This blog is for anyone who knew and loved my father, Phil Smith, and for anyone who knows and loves Mary Jo Mayton. It’s intended especially for anyone who believed that Mary Jo ever loved Phil. If she did love him, she wouldn’t have done the things documented here.
The Road Always Leads to Crested Butte
We were somewhere along Colorado state route 114 heading to Crested Butte when the dread began to take hold.
Top Trails and Ales in Colorado
Colorado is a beer lover’s mecca. The state boasts 284 craft breweries, or 7.3 breweries per 100,000 residents of legal drinking age, ranking third in the U.S. And its seemingly infinite backcountry is overflowing with numerous trails that begin just around the bend or down a dusty road from many of those breweries.
Breckenridge on Budget
As the leaves change and temperatures drop, my thoughts turn to winter and my travel planning shifts westward to Colorado, where the high country awaits the season’s first snow and the mountains begin calling. Autumn means it’s time to start thinking about our annual ski trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, a place that has beckoned us back again and again for 15 years.
The Long and Winding Road to Breck
Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. My wife, Sandy, and I discovered this when we embarked on a weeklong ski trip to Breckenridge, Colo. The threat of our vacation being canceled sparked an important decision -- and memorable adventure.