Red sun
I happened to go outside yesterday a little while before the sun was due to set, and I saw a most extraordinary thing: the sun, very low in the sky, looked exactly like a bright red ball. Not orange, as … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Me, myself, and I
Idealized photos, idealized paintings
Do photographs tell the truth? Not really, and even old photographs were often touched up. Here’s a description, with illustrations. I have cued it up to show what I consider the most interesting part: Speaking of which, I have a … Continue reading →
The Arizona 2020 voting audit continues
I keep reading about unofficial results of the audit that are quite alarming. However, the official report hasn’t been issued yet, and I’m skeptical about both what it will say and how much traction it will get if it does … Continue reading →
The way it was
I recently was on an airplane and sitting next to me was a young man in his mid-twenties, sporting a full set of complicated tattoos. He was very talkative, and as we were chatting I mentioned that the first time … Continue reading →
Another effort to get rid of my extra stuff – and this time a more successful one
During the COVID lockdown time, some people engaged in self-improvement projects. They went on a diet and got fit. They decluttered their homes. They learned a foreign language. Not me. I languished. Even though I was home practically all the … Continue reading →
Nineteen Eighty-Four vs. Brave New World
Commenter “Zaphod” writes, of the Orwell work versus the Huxley work: “Funny thing is that Brave New World happened first.” Well, yes and no. Brave New World was certainly written first, and I agree that it touched on many of … Continue reading →
Happy Belated Birthday, Thomas Sowell
Thomas Sowell turned 91 on June 30, and he seems sharp as a tack. I wish him many more healthy years, in part because I admire him so much and in part because we need him more than ever. As … Continue reading →
I’m just a prole at heart
On a thread about the Steinman/Meatloaf song “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” commenter “mkent” wrote: Neo: Honestly, I’m a bit astonished to see you go down this path, what with your reputation for your love of the ballet and … Continue reading →
Thrills and chills: the Bee Gees’ medleys
At their concerts, the Bee Gees usually – maybe even always – performed at least one medley. They had so many hit songs that singing a shorter version of a lot of them in succession was one way to please … Continue reading →
Remember when Sixties hippies on the left wanted to “Question Authority”?
If you’re of a certain age, like I am, you probably remember those bumper stickers that exhorted us all to Question Authority. It was the mark of a thinking person not to take everything at face value, in particular the … Continue reading →
A bit of computer trouble today
My computer is old, and I should probably get a new one. But one thing I really hate is making technological transitions. I bet some people love it. They love learning about all the bells and whistles on a new … Continue reading →
For Mother’s Day: my mother, the essayist
One of the tasks that fell to me since my mother’s death years ago was to go through her papers and photos. Some “getting rid of” candidates were obvious. Medical records, of which my mother kept very many. Not needed … Continue reading →