Kirby - The Salt Lake Tribune

Kirby: Children’s insults speak the harsh truth

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:21:25 MDT

Kirby: Children’s insults speak the harsh truth

by Robert Kirby Tribune Columnist

Published May 21, 2013 06:21PM MDT

I have to stop taking my grandkids out in public until they’re socially trained. They are far more honest than is good for them — or me. A few days ago, my family was heading to downtown Salt Lake City on TRAX. The car was crowded and seating was limited. At a stop, a rough-looking guy got on and stood next to my daughter and her 6-year-old son. He had a large number of gaps in his dental work. He looked down at my grandson and smiled. Man: “You’re a nice little boy. What’s your name?” Tate: “Y...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kirby: What would you let money do to you?

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:25:14 MDT

Kirby: What would you let money do to you?

by Robert Kirby The Salt Lake Tribune

Published May 21, 2013 07:25AM MDT

Walking in downtown Salt Lake City last week, I was panhandled by a young street gal with a puppy. She got all of my annoying spare change. I was happy to be rid of it. She was way happier to have it. Here’s the thing: The spare change was my money and my call on how to dispose of it. What if it wasn’t my money? Thursday night, I took TRAX downtown. When I bought my ticket, the machine kicked out a dollar in change from the previous transaction. I found the rightful owner on the train. She wa...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kirby: Dear God, give it to me straight

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:34:03 MDT

Kirby: Dear God, give it to me straight

by Robert Kirby Tribune Columnist

Published May 15, 2013 05:34PM MDT

I heard someone speak in tongues once. By this I mean that I was physically present when it happened. Also it was directed at me. The memory of that experience is vague because it occurred early on a Sunday morning more than 40 years ago, in another world (Georgia), and I was not yet entirely myself yet. After a night of sinful endeavor, a friend and I missed our bus back to the barracks. Perhaps feeling guilty, ’Normus insisted that we kill time until the next bus by visiting a church across t...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kirby: Soccer ref’s death reminds us we all lash out in regrettable ways

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:53:22 MDT

Kirby: Soccer ref’s death reminds us we all lash out in regrettable ways

by Robert Kirby Tribune Columnist

Published May 9, 2013 09:53AM MDT

The last time I actively participated in organized sports was nearly 50 years ago, when I played extreme right field for the Park Lane Lions. I only lasted half a season, but that was long enough for me to learn everything I would ever need to know about sports. First was that I lacked the necessary coordination to run and catch at the same time. Hell, I could barely put the uniform on by myself. It took me the better part of a week to learn how to walk in cleats. Second — and this was the most...

Kirby: My turn to review the Utah Symphony performing ‘Star Wars’

Thu, 09 May 2013 08:17:44 MDT

Kirby: My turn to review the Utah Symphony performing ‘Star Wars’

by Robert Kirby Tribune Columnist

Published May 9, 2013 08:17AM MDT

My grandson and I went on an adventure last week. We were riding TRAX downtown when a guy wearing a tuxedo got on. He was carrying a violin case. “A hit man,” I whispered to Gage. “Be careful. There’s probably a machine gun in that case.” My grandson is only 9 but he’s got some of me in him. He’s just rude enough to ask complete strangers personal questions. A few minutes later, Gage said, “He plays in the symphony. And it’s a viola. Not a machine gun.” Our adventure began Saturday evening. We ...