Sadi Ranson-Polizzotti, who pretty much fearlessly gets right to the brutal and delicate heart of whatever topic she's writing about.
The Duke. A young man with a frightening amount of talent. Makes me laugh out loud, though usually I can't safely answer the question "What's so funny?"
Dawn Olsen. I became a Blogcritic because of Dawn. I was an avid reader of her blog "Up Yours & Other Helpful Hints". I do owe a debt to her because I'm not sure I would have gone down this writing path without stumbling onto that funny and snarky site.
BC: What do you think is the best part of Blogcritics?
Mark: The wide range of writers drawn together to form a community. I've made some good friends here.
BC: What song is stuck in your head right now?
Mark: "O Mary, Don't You Weep". Springsteen's Seeger Sessions has, for the moment, completely taken over.
BC: What do you have set as the home page in your browser?
Mark: Blogcritics.org.
BC: Who was your idol as you were growing up?
Mark: Catfish Hunter. No, wait...Elton John. No, John Belushi? My Uncle Stanley the Polka DJ? My dad? Steve Martin?
OK, I didn't really have an idol. That was fun though.
BC: What are three items you would need to have on a desert island?
Mark: A copy of On The Road, an acoustic guitar, and a picture of TheWife.
BC: What's the best place to get a meal in your neck of the woods?
Mark: The Peterborough Diner. I love diners, a true chunk of Americana. Coffee always tastes better in a diner mug.
BC: If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Mark: Is this where I'm supposed to give the "world peace" answer? I'd settle for less ignorance.
Mark Picks Mark
We asked Mark to pick his favorites from among his many Blogcritics articles, and we hope you’ll take the time to check these out. In fact, take the time to check out Mark’s entire Blogcritics archive for some very worthwhile reading.
Dar Williams - My Better Self by Dar Williams
One of my favorite folkie-type singers. This record dealt with theme of "opposition." It also had a song about searching for love that's so good, my eyes welled up on the very first listen.
What Is Music?
Are there rules for what makes something music? I don't think so.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Joanie
Damn that Mark! I thought I'd paid him to say I was his favorite Blogcritic. (Note to self: stop payment on check to Saleski.)
Lisa, did you bother to find out if the man has a single brother who might be interested in work as a cabana boy?
2 - Eric Olsen
Splendiferous - thanks Lisa and congrats Mark! We're certainly glad you read Dawn four years ago - thanks for being such a core of the site all this time Mark - we wouldn't be what we are without you!!
3 - DJRadiohead
I'm with Joanie. That's the last nice thing I say about Saleski. My revenge shall be terrible.
Great job, Lisa!
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
I now realize that everyone else appreciates music on a much deeper level than me. Maybe that's for the best.
I think the greatest tribute would be for the word "Saleski" to become a verb here at Blogcritics. Any nominations on what it should mean? And please use examples.
5 - Mary K. Williams
Joanie - I'm with ya.
Known this dude for a while, and all I got so far was some damn coffee.
Seriously -
This is beyond cool Mark, you cranky bastage you.
6 - Eric Berlin
Outstandingness -- great to see the Great Saleski behind the curtain, and a photo no less !
7 - Aaron Fleming
Hurrah! Mucho kudos your direction!
8 - El Bicho
Congrats, Mark. Now when are you going to get the collected "FML" published as a book?
Great job again, Lisa. I'm already looking forward to next month.
For those BCers who feel slighted at being left off Mark's favorites, I suggest you get him in trouble with TheWife by pointing out that on the desert island he wants a picture of TheWife and not TheWife.
9 - Mary K. Williams
For those BCers who feel slighted at being left off Mark's favorites, I suggest you get him in trouble with TheWife by pointing out that on the desert island he wants a picture of TheWife and not TheWife
I am SO dialing that number right now - "Hello Linda...?"
: )~
10 - Mark Saleski
how quickly they turn on you...
sheesh!!!
11 - Mark Saleski
hey, at least i didn't say "a picture of katherine heigl"
12 - Mary K. Williams
Well, must be that head cold, you're off your game.
13 - Bennett
Nothing that wasn't overdue, and Lisa did a fantastic job. Keep up the good work Sir Saleski!
14 - Mark Sahm
Saleski: Even if I don't know 75% of the musical references you make in your posts, the 25% that I do know are always tactfully written and enjoyable. The BOTM nod is well deserved. Cheers.
15 - Dawn
I am a Mark Saleski lover from WAY back in the day - glad the world has caught up to my excellent taste!
Cheers to Mark!
16 - Dawn
BC: What do you think you'd learn if you could swap to the opposite sex?
Mark: It might be nice to know, once and for all, if size really matters.
I can answer that for you, size does matter.
But only in the brain, everywhere else it's subjective.
Seriously, Lisa, great job, great subject, great read!!!
17 - Lisa McKay
I'd like to thank everyone for their comments on this piece. These are a huge amount of fun for me to do, and as nice as it is to take credit for it, most of the actual work gets done by the honoree, so it's an easy gig :-)
A great side benefit of doing this (for me personally) is to get to know each writer a bit better as we go through the process of putting it together. Thanks to everyone for reading and enjoying!
18 - Glen Boyd
Conrats Mark.
I still want IN on that Seeger Sessions pow-wow you and Lisa and DJ Radiohead have planned though.
Pretty please?
Glen
19 - Glen Boyd
oops..
That was "Congrats Mark", not "conrats"...LOL
Damned butter fingers.
20 - Phillip Winn
Mark Saleski is a giant among giants, and his Friday Morning Listen should be on everybody's weekly schedule.
Thanks, Mark, for being awesome!
21 - Jackie
You rock, Mark! Congratulations on a well-deserved honor!
22 - Mat Brewster
I'll add my congrats here. FML rules the school! We need a book then a movie starring George Wendt as Saleski and John Ratzenburger as DJradiohead.
23 - DJRadiohead
And Woody Harrelson playing Brewster?
24 - jmp
congrat,mark you are super
25 - Mary K. Williams
Sounds like a good movie! Friday Morning Listen: You Won't Know Any of These Obscure Artists' Names - But After Hearing Them, You Just Might Want To!
Kinda long title though.