Brenda Heist vanished over ten years ago. Despite a huge search she was never found, and was finally presumed (and even legally declared) dead. Brenda and her husband had been on the brink of divorce, and he remarried. Her two … Continue reading →
Well, call me ignorant, but until the other day I hadn’t realized that Otis Redding wrote Aretha Franklin’s anthem “Respect.” And he sang it, too. Differently… …than she did: Aretha’s version was a sister act, although I don’t know whether … Continue reading →
[NOTE: This post of mine sparked the following reflections.] Our responses to music are closely tied to emotion as well as memory. People who are brain-damaged and cannot speak can sometimes access music and even lyrics; different parts of the … Continue reading →
Oh, and while we’re on the subject of George Bush (which we were)—here’s another article about Bush in his new avocation: painter. Last February I wrote my evaluation of Bush as a painter. Now that I’ve looked at reproductions of … Continue reading →
Ah, well do I remember her—tall, elegant, slightly exotic in her dark good looks, gracious, and somewhat removed and patrician as a dancer. Confession: I wasn’t all that keen on her style, which I perceived as remote, and actually didn’t … Continue reading →
I know, I know. You look down on “American Idol,” think it’s trash, yada yada yada. Well, sometimes I watch it for fun, along with other fluff du jour, despite the fact that I’m not ordinarily all that keen on … Continue reading →
[Hat tip: “Gringo.”] Here’s an update on Tom Lehrer, that bitingly sarcastic troubadour of the 50s and 60s. But because he’s a reclusive sort, the article really doesn’t have all that much to say except that at 85 he’s alive … Continue reading →
[NOTE: The other day I happened across an old post from March of 2009. As I read it, I realized that I was probably describing one of the earliest manifestations of my change experience, even though I wouldn’t have called … Continue reading →
I belong to a book group, as it seems about 99% of American women do these days. The books are more or less a pretext for getting together, talking, eating, and talking (did I say talking?). Sometimes I read the … Continue reading →
One of the things that draws me to YouTube is its ability to collapse time. I’ve written other posts before that use this then/now format, but I don’t really tire of it. So here’s another. Petula Clark, then: And now … Continue reading →
There’s a big discussion in this yahoo article about who invented the moonwalk, and the answer isn’t Michael Jackson. I can’t say I much care, although I always thought Jackson’s dance moves were his greatest talent. But the article included … Continue reading →
There’s a big Yahoo feature on Justin Timberlake’s new video tribute to his grandparents and their 63-year-long marriage. Made me think of this Leonard Cohen video, which I think is far superior (although I kind of like Timberlake in general) … Continue reading →