Hanna Rosin: are men an endangered species? | Books | The Observer:
Why restrict it to men?
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Quotation of the day
What makes old age hard to bear is not a failing of one’s faculties, mental and physical, but the burden of one’s memories.
~Somerset Maugham
3,785 Page Pirated Poetry Anthology : Kenneth Goldsmith : Harriet the Blog : The Poetry Foundation
3,785 Page Pirated Poetry Anthology : Kenneth Goldsmith : Harriet the Blog : The Poetry Foundation:
"Featuring the work of 3, 164 poets. Completely unpermissioned and unauthorized, pissing off the entire poetry community. Either you’re in or you’re not. "
I'm in it, it turns out. But I can't say I'm pissed or think it's a very big deal. My delusions of grandeur are placed elsewhere ha ha.
"Featuring the work of 3, 164 poets. Completely unpermissioned and unauthorized, pissing off the entire poetry community. Either you’re in or you’re not. "
I'm in it, it turns out. But I can't say I'm pissed or think it's a very big deal. My delusions of grandeur are placed elsewhere ha ha.
Veteran Emerald Triangle pot growers see their way of life ending - latimes.com
Veteran Emerald Triangle pot growers see their way of life ending - latimes.com:
Corporations strike again. Now they're taking over medical pot, and the old hippy businesses are doomed.
Corporations strike again. Now they're taking over medical pot, and the old hippy businesses are doomed.
Jupiter rules
Go outside at five in the morning and look straight up. Jupiter dominates the sky. Below it, like an omen, is winter's iconic constellation, Orion. Morning now will be evening soon enough.
Sunday thoughts: the Republicans, or at least the extremists among them, will try and steal the election. They've already begun. And they may well succeed. Some ugliness during election day, including violence, would not surprise me. Citizen civility is a relic of the past.
I really don't want to hang around to see the worst of Nature's logical response to human greed. Damn I'm glad I'm old. Hope I'm old enough to pass naturally and miss it.
Sunday thoughts: the Republicans, or at least the extremists among them, will try and steal the election. They've already begun. And they may well succeed. Some ugliness during election day, including violence, would not surprise me. Citizen civility is a relic of the past.
I really don't want to hang around to see the worst of Nature's logical response to human greed. Damn I'm glad I'm old. Hope I'm old enough to pass naturally and miss it.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
RIP Art Scatter?
It's been two months since Bob Hicks has posted at his arts blog, Art Scatter. He hasn't disappeared. He's doing most of his arts writing over at Oregon Arts Watch, no doubt enjoying the paycheck. But I miss him at his blog.
"I think we've got it"
Couldn't find an LA station but found a Colorado football network station online for the game. So far, pre game, so good. Go Bruins!
LATER. Waiting for kickoff. Looks like this will work. Reception is clear, uninterrupted. However, if H uses the phone, I think I get kicked off!
First Q thoughts. UCLA defense playing well. Offense erratic, a fumble, a dropped pass -- but Franklin running well. UCLA leads 7-0. Go Bruins!
p.s. The Colo broadcasters impress me. Most home team broadcasters wear their biases on their sleeves. These guys are very fair, calling a mostly neutral game and very complimentary to UCLA when the Bruins perform well. Rather amazing actually.
Early 2nd Q. Hundley 10-13, Franklin 75 yds in 9. 14-0. Looking good.
And quickly not as good: 14-7.
2 mins until halftime, 21-7. UCLA dominates total yardage, 275-115. Franklin has 90 in 10. If they can avoid shooting themselves in the foot, they can win this easily.
Halftime.
THIRD Q. UCLA misses FG. Later, near end of third, 28-7. 382 yds offense.
Had to change station, baseball game covered by what I was listening to. Rest of game broadcast by Colorado's progressive radio, which contrasts with Portland State radio games, covered by a right wing station ha ha.
FOURTH Q. 35-7, early. Franklin has has 111, Hundly 234, with a quarter to go. And man, these Colo announcers are great! Oregon announcers are always whining when they're behind. These guys are real pros.
Midway, 42-7. Under 3 mins, 42-14.
LATER. Waiting for kickoff. Looks like this will work. Reception is clear, uninterrupted. However, if H uses the phone, I think I get kicked off!
First Q thoughts. UCLA defense playing well. Offense erratic, a fumble, a dropped pass -- but Franklin running well. UCLA leads 7-0. Go Bruins!
p.s. The Colo broadcasters impress me. Most home team broadcasters wear their biases on their sleeves. These guys are very fair, calling a mostly neutral game and very complimentary to UCLA when the Bruins perform well. Rather amazing actually.
Early 2nd Q. Hundley 10-13, Franklin 75 yds in 9. 14-0. Looking good.
And quickly not as good: 14-7.
2 mins until halftime, 21-7. UCLA dominates total yardage, 275-115. Franklin has 90 in 10. If they can avoid shooting themselves in the foot, they can win this easily.
Halftime.
THIRD Q. UCLA misses FG. Later, near end of third, 28-7. 382 yds offense.
Had to change station, baseball game covered by what I was listening to. Rest of game broadcast by Colorado's progressive radio, which contrasts with Portland State radio games, covered by a right wing station ha ha.
FOURTH Q. 35-7, early. Franklin has has 111, Hundly 234, with a quarter to go. And man, these Colo announcers are great! Oregon announcers are always whining when they're behind. These guys are real pros.
Midway, 42-7. Under 3 mins, 42-14.
Talk about a shootout
Two ranked teams .... Baylor and W Va ... 35-35 at half!... well scrapple done and cooling ... waiting for sun for outside chore ... UCLA at three ... try for net radio ...
Dancing with Sketch
Sketch and I have this dance we do on the sofa. I usually sit at the right end ... I have a pillow to lean on and a table for my coffee. And Sketch is okay with this most of the time, either cuddling against my left side or going to the other end of the sofa.
But let me get up for something and I'll return to find Sketch in my place, often using my pillow for a head rest. I let him get away with it.
Sometimes he wants my end when I'm sitting in it. He jumps up and wedges his way in, cracking me up. How can you fight determination like that?
We know who the alpha male is in this family.
But let me get up for something and I'll return to find Sketch in my place, often using my pillow for a head rest. I let him get away with it.
Sometimes he wants my end when I'm sitting in it. He jumps up and wedges his way in, cracking me up. How can you fight determination like that?
We know who the alpha male is in this family.
A different Saturday
Our first weekend with one car, which means Sketch and I can't take off on an errand whenever we feel like it. This will be an adjustment but I'm for downsizing in this last act of my adventure.
No TV football games grab me until evening. Household chores. Also have a new batch of scrapple on right now. Have an advanced student script to look at, tomorrow I think. A good screenwriter so I look forward to it.
Ready to start the Thoreau project. Maybe Monday on the audio book. Take notes on the new website.
Though a trilogy concept came to me, reported here earlier, I seem to have more present passion for the T project. Ditto for extracting a novella from Emmett's Gift. Also have the old dream of music drama work at the piano. Maybe something surprising will develop over the term. Always ready to surprise myself!
A good start to the new term. I do love teaching ... because I have something to offer that works in the real screenwriting world.
No TV football games grab me until evening. Household chores. Also have a new batch of scrapple on right now. Have an advanced student script to look at, tomorrow I think. A good screenwriter so I look forward to it.
Ready to start the Thoreau project. Maybe Monday on the audio book. Take notes on the new website.
Though a trilogy concept came to me, reported here earlier, I seem to have more present passion for the T project. Ditto for extracting a novella from Emmett's Gift. Also have the old dream of music drama work at the piano. Maybe something surprising will develop over the term. Always ready to surprise myself!
A good start to the new term. I do love teaching ... because I have something to offer that works in the real screenwriting world.
Friday, September 28, 2012
RIP our green Chevy
We decided some time ago that it was a fool's errand to put major bucks into our second car. I was driving it only locally, less than 150 miles a month. So when we learned the fuel pump was about to go, we decided that would be the end. Hence this morning. At least I didn't get stranded. Died in auto shop parking lot! Got confirmation from mechanic that it was fuel pump time but called AAA instead. Towed home. We are donating it to our jazz station per radio ad. And now my daily rhythm will change considerably.
A different adventure
So much for the plans of the morning. Our 2nd car, we knew, had a fuel pump ready to go ... guess what it went? Had it towed home and now in process of donating it to the jazz radio station. We become a one car family, which affects me more than H. Which is fine. Downsize!
Adventures in public transportation
Dropping off car to be serviced ... hop bus to downtown ... hop streetcar to NW ... breakfast at Nobbys ... reverse trip to fetch car ... and there goes Fri morning
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Washington upsets Stanford
A fun game to watch, as upsets often are if your alma mater isn't the loser.
In the meantime was offered a small writing gig from Oregon Mag, where I've appeared before, and accepted.
Ages since I've had breakfast at Nobbys. Tomorrow!
In the meantime was offered a small writing gig from Oregon Mag, where I've appeared before, and accepted.
Ages since I've had breakfast at Nobbys. Tomorrow!
Watching football with Tom
U of Wash game on tonight. Udub always brings memories of my late friend from Oklahoma. He used to watch a Wash game on TV and marvel at all the yachts in the lake next to the stadium. Seattle must be some kind of rich city for fans to go to football games in their yachts! Tom was great fun esp if an Okie game was on. Boomer Sooners! Rest in peace ol buddy.
Mars Water: NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Signs Of Ancient Stream
Mars Water: NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Signs Of Ancient Stream:
"The Curiosity Rover has found evidence of an ancient stream that flowed "vigorously" on Mars where the Rover is now exploring, NASA said on Thursday.
NPR reports that this is "definitive proof" that water once existed on Mars.
Stream bed gravels were observed among the rocks on the surface of Mars, according to a statement from NASA."
"The Curiosity Rover has found evidence of an ancient stream that flowed "vigorously" on Mars where the Rover is now exploring, NASA said on Thursday.
NPR reports that this is "definitive proof" that water once existed on Mars.
Stream bed gravels were observed among the rocks on the surface of Mars, according to a statement from NASA."
Quotation of the day II
Happiness is sunshine and a bone.
--Sketch (from "The Wisdom of Rat Terriers")
Quotation of the day
The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.
~Epictetus
Books bloggers are harming literature, warns Booker prize head judge
Books bloggers are harming literature, warns Booker prize head judge
Yes,Virginia, sometimes not all opinions are equal.
Yes,Virginia, sometimes not all opinions are equal.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
For shame, Seattle!
Despite 100 million witnesses saying the opposite, the Seattle coach seems to think his Seahawks actually beat Green Bay. Seattle becomes a fool and laughing stock. Really dumb PR, coach.
Mellow Wednesday
Just hanging out today ... run a few chores ... do a little reading ... do a little prep for class ... do it all very slowly.
Scrapple send-off
Really good!
This is the verdict by our departing houseguest ... made her scrapple for breakfast. From the east coast she knows about such things. No better Bon Voyage than scrapple!
This is the verdict by our departing houseguest ... made her scrapple for breakfast. From the east coast she knows about such things. No better Bon Voyage than scrapple!
Writing outside-in
Looked at the opening pages of a thriller for Kindle I started some time ago and it's pretty good. I do know how to wtite pop lit. After all, a mystery I wrote ... Dead Body In A Small Room ... was a finalist for mystery of the year. I have the craft. What I lack is the interest and ambition. Escapist storytelling feels more like bullshit the older I get. It's a shame ha ha. Story of my life. I can bore myself so easily. Have to keep digging for surprises and revelations. i also become more elitist the older I get. Doomed to marginality, the herald of oblivion.
Packers-Seahawks: NFL follows corporate America's game plan in referees dispute - latimes.com
Packers-Seahawks: NFL follows corporate America's game plan in referees dispute - latimes.com:
"Everybody's talking about the Packers and Seahawks, but the issues in the labor dispute behind the debacle have gotten less attention. You ignore them at your peril, because a lot of companies are calling the same plays."
Now this gets to the heart of the matter. All this is part of a larger war on labor by corporations.
"Everybody's talking about the Packers and Seahawks, but the issues in the labor dispute behind the debacle have gotten less attention. You ignore them at your peril, because a lot of companies are calling the same plays."
Now this gets to the heart of the matter. All this is part of a larger war on labor by corporations.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Home sweet home
Nice to be back into the rhythm of teaching. Nice to come home after class. Nice to have tomorrow off.
Our good houseguest leaves tomorrow. Normal returns.
I anticipate a good term.
Our good houseguest leaves tomorrow. Normal returns.
I anticipate a good term.
Location, location
My fall class is in the science bldg in a room WITH WINDOWS. Been a while. Moreover, across the street is a Starbucks. Coffee for my office hours! Judging by good questions the first day, I think I have a fine class indeed. I'm ready.
Is Climate Change Hell Now Inevitable? | Common Dreams
Is Climate Change Hell Now Inevitable? | Common Dreams:
"If we have triggered a self-reinforcing methane feedback – and there is growing evidence that we have – then there is little point in talking about solutions. What is needed is a strategy for maximizing the quality of life for those of our species who survive the coming catastrophe. "
Have a nice day.
"If we have triggered a self-reinforcing methane feedback – and there is growing evidence that we have – then there is little point in talking about solutions. What is needed is a strategy for maximizing the quality of life for those of our species who survive the coming catastrophe. "
Have a nice day.
NFL agrees, refs blew it ... but result stands
This Just In - CNN.com Blogs:
""This should have been a penalty for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game," the NFL said in a statement on Tuesday. "It was not called and is not reviewable in instant replay."
The league then added: "The result of the game is final.""
NF
""This should have been a penalty for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game," the NFL said in a statement on Tuesday. "It was not called and is not reviewable in instant replay."
The league then added: "The result of the game is final.""
NF
Why Obama Matters - The Dish | By Andrew Sullivan - The Daily Beast
Why Obama Matters - The Dish | By Andrew Sullivan - The Daily Beast:
Sullivan is a conservative worth listening to.
Sullivan is a conservative worth listening to.
Mitt Romney wonders why aircraft windows don't open - TNT Magazine
Mitt Romney wonders why aircraft windows don't open - TNT Magazine:
We can call him the Science President.
We can call him the Science President.
The NFL needs to end the referee lockout immediately - Grantland
The NFL needs to end the referee lockout immediately - Grantland:
"Enough is enough. My ongoing defense of the replacement referees, from the preseason on, has been that they haven't done anything quite as awful as when the "real" referees simultaneously signaled in opposite directions during a fumble recovery last year. Obviously, that's no longer the case. Monday night's dramatic ending to the Packers-Seahawks game officially saw the league's replacement officials complete their trip from irritating sideshow to spectacular main event by directly changing the outcome of a game on a questionable call, one that was delivered with their reliable combination of befuddlement and insouciance. It was the first time that the replacement officials had turned a win into a loss by making the wrong call on the final play of the game, unless you believe that the same thing happened with the field goal that ended the Patriots-Ravens contest on Sunday night, in which case that just happened in consecutive games. You often hear about games in which the team who got the ball last won. This was a game in which the team who had the opportunity to be screwed last lost."
"Enough is enough. My ongoing defense of the replacement referees, from the preseason on, has been that they haven't done anything quite as awful as when the "real" referees simultaneously signaled in opposite directions during a fumble recovery last year. Obviously, that's no longer the case. Monday night's dramatic ending to the Packers-Seahawks game officially saw the league's replacement officials complete their trip from irritating sideshow to spectacular main event by directly changing the outcome of a game on a questionable call, one that was delivered with their reliable combination of befuddlement and insouciance. It was the first time that the replacement officials had turned a win into a loss by making the wrong call on the final play of the game, unless you believe that the same thing happened with the field goal that ended the Patriots-Ravens contest on Sunday night, in which case that just happened in consecutive games. You often hear about games in which the team who got the ball last won. This was a game in which the team who had the opportunity to be screwed last lost."
 |
| L: Touchback! R: Touchdown! |
Seattle shame
The Seahawks should be ashamed of themselves, strutting around as if they deserve a win after the greatest blown call in the history of football. Admit you caught a break from inept replacement officials.
Fans should boycott games in protest. They won't. Fans are suckers.
We live in an age of greed. Little escapes its corrupting influence.
Fans should boycott games in protest. They won't. Fans are suckers.
We live in an age of greed. Little escapes its corrupting influence.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Cooking a specialty
Spent most of the day prepping my delux fisherman's stew. All day base of diced tomatos and white wine ... okra ... gorbanzos ... chopped clams ... sausage ... black olives ... chicken ... spices ... long slow simmer. Last hour add salmon ... cod ... sea scallops ... prawns ... mussels ... serve over rice. Spendy and fantastic.
The 'Self-Made' Hallucination of America's Rich | Common Dreams
The 'Self-Made' Hallucination of America's Rich | Common Dreams:
"As commentator Jim Hightower has colorfully put it, most of our super rich were born on third base and think they hit a triple."
"As commentator Jim Hightower has colorfully put it, most of our super rich were born on third base and think they hit a triple."
Quotation of the day
Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.
~Mark Twain
The scholarly e-book revolution is coming, but there’ll be a few bumps on the road
The scholarly e-book revolution is coming, but there’ll be a few bumps on the road
Academia moves so slowly. When I started teaching online years ago, the major state universities were still studying the issur. Eastern Oregon alone was ready. I was among first in state to do this.
Academia moves so slowly. When I started teaching online years ago, the major state universities were still studying the issur. Eastern Oregon alone was ready. I was among first in state to do this.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Fall rhythm
Strange summer. Hardly felt like summer at all. Became a bionic man and that's about it.
All the same I'm ready for the classroom. And I do have a redesigned home office. This will affect my work rhythm.
I can work upstairs on the Kindle (as now) but netbook and computer chores now will be done downstairs.
Tempus fugit.
All the same I'm ready for the classroom. And I do have a redesigned home office. This will affect my work rhythm.
I can work upstairs on the Kindle (as now) but netbook and computer chores now will be done downstairs.
Tempus fugit.
Strange games
UCLA loses by only 7 but the game never feels close. It could be 28.
Oregon wins by 49 but it never feels lopsided. Arizona blows six trips to the red zone. It could be 7.
I end up not knowing how bad UCLA really is or how good Oregon really is.
Oregon wins by 49 but it never feels lopsided. Arizona blows six trips to the red zone. It could be 7.
I end up not knowing how bad UCLA really is or how good Oregon really is.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The challenge of retelling Grimms' fairy tales | Books | The Guardian
The challenge of retelling Grimms' fairy tales | Books | The Guardian:
"The characters are conventional, the imagery obvious and there's very little description – but the stories are irresistible. Philip Pullman on rewriting fifty of his favourites"
"The characters are conventional, the imagery obvious and there's very little description – but the stories are irresistible. Philip Pullman on rewriting fifty of his favourites"
Bruins bomb
UCLA loses by 7 but it felt like 28. Oregon State has great defense against the run. Will be interesting if they can handle the speed of the Ducks.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Best colleges for hippies
Are there still hippies? At any rate, someone published a Top 10 list of colleges for hippies -- and Pdx got TWO on it, #1 Reed College and #8 Lewis and Clark College. Meaning?
Glenn Gould: a wilfully idiotic genius? | Music | The Guardian
Glenn Gould: a wilfully idiotic genius? | Music | The Guardian:
"It's 30 years since the death of Glenn Gould, but the pianist still provokes strong reactions. So how do today's top players assess his legacy?"
"It's 30 years since the death of Glenn Gould, but the pianist still provokes strong reactions. So how do today's top players assess his legacy?"
Religious intolerance on the rise worldwide, says US report | World news | guardian.co.uk
Religious intolerance on the rise worldwide, says US report | World news | guardian.co.uk:
"Pew Research Centre report says the US and UK are among countries showing a worrying rise in religious discrimination"
"Pew Research Centre report says the US and UK are among countries showing a worrying rise in religious discrimination"
British wine snobs learning to love screw tops and boxes | Life and style | The Guardian
British wine snobs learning to love screw tops and boxes | Life and style | The Guardian:
"Four in 10 wine drinkers now agree the quality of wine in a box or a pouch is as good as the bottled option"
In the Army, it was Gallo Red Mountain, less than a dollar a gallon. In a bottle.
"Four in 10 wine drinkers now agree the quality of wine in a box or a pouch is as good as the bottled option"
In the Army, it was Gallo Red Mountain, less than a dollar a gallon. In a bottle.
A restless, inquisitive mind
I woke up with an incredible notion. Sodom, Gomorrah & Jones is the first novel of a trilogy about CJ. And the next two came almost fully formed:
Now will I actually write the trilogy? I don't know yet. But it came to me this morning with more than usual clarity. And, of course, I'm in love with CJ. How could I not be?
- The Reluctant Suicide. Set several years in the future. CJ has been living on the road in his van. He had a short relationship with a woman he met in a campground, a vagabond like himself. But now the early effects of climate change are becoming more dramatic, some coastal cities flooded by rising seas. CJ decides he doesn't want to hang around to watch it. He considers himself blessed and ready to pass. But how? His notion is that he should be just as eligible for doctor assistance as someone with a terminal illness. He argues that life itself is a terminal illness. But no help is available, which means he must do the deed himself. What a drag! And how? He researches the matter, doesn't trust most methods because he could screw it up, decides on a bullet in the brain, in the woods to account for the mess. And he does the deed.
- CJ In Heaven & Hell. Great political turmoil in heaven! The Old School Angels Party, active for centuries, has finally garnered political strength to end and reverse considerable liberalization of the rules of heaven and to return to the conservative, stringent good old days. CJ comes to the pearly gates during this struggle for power and becomes a test case. By the old rules, suicides are not allowed into heaven but progressive angels over the centuries have relaxed the rule to permit exceptions. Can CJ be admitted to heaven or not? Clarence Darrow, himself a benefactor of liberal changes, volunteers to represent CJ in the legal battle for admittance. Also on CJ's side are Neitzsche, Thomas Paine, Marx and a host of others that the Old School Angels Party would have expelled. CJ will lose his case: but expulsion from heaven will prove to be meaningless because, as Sartre has been arguing all along, it turns out that heaven and hell are identical. There's nowhere else to go. CJ must accept that this is all there is.
Now of course, considerable trickery, magic, and personal drama must be added to the mix to make this drama and not a lecture, but this is an old problem I've faced and solved many times before. I think I can do the second. The third will be the hardest, requiring more research on the issue than I've done in the past.
 |
| By Tom Strah, that I've named CJ |
So we'll see.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Still prep to do
Not quite ready for class next Tuesday but close. Need to get a lot done tomorrow.
I'm going to try and spend more time in my office now and less upstairs.
Tried some piano and it's like going to the starting line as far as finger muscles are concerned. That's fine. Have a great boogie woogie book and hope to go through it leisurely but regularly, daily, see what happens after a few months at it.
I have a good net connection with the netbook down here. I used to have dial up on the old computer but PSU discontinued it. My slim newer desktop crashed and I don't think it's worth it to get it fixed since I'm not really doing anything, like editing video, that might make it useful. I can get by with the netbook. Downsizing etc.
Actually I now connect with the Kindle to check email more than with anything else. A Kindle-sized tablet with great power, and no heavier (I can hold it and operate it with one hand! a real plus) would be an ideal digital tool for me.
Supposed to go to dinner tonight but I'm going to beg out. In no social mood whatever. House was unrelaxing all day with the house cleaner here, I'm still burrowing into my cave.
Loved the hanging out in Yakima. I could hang out the rest of my life pretty damn easily. I find the lack of plans very relaxing.
I'm going to try and spend more time in my office now and less upstairs.
Tried some piano and it's like going to the starting line as far as finger muscles are concerned. That's fine. Have a great boogie woogie book and hope to go through it leisurely but regularly, daily, see what happens after a few months at it.
I have a good net connection with the netbook down here. I used to have dial up on the old computer but PSU discontinued it. My slim newer desktop crashed and I don't think it's worth it to get it fixed since I'm not really doing anything, like editing video, that might make it useful. I can get by with the netbook. Downsizing etc.
Actually I now connect with the Kindle to check email more than with anything else. A Kindle-sized tablet with great power, and no heavier (I can hold it and operate it with one hand! a real plus) would be an ideal digital tool for me.
Supposed to go to dinner tonight but I'm going to beg out. In no social mood whatever. House was unrelaxing all day with the house cleaner here, I'm still burrowing into my cave.
Loved the hanging out in Yakima. I could hang out the rest of my life pretty damn easily. I find the lack of plans very relaxing.
My home office
My office overhaul isn't done but done enough to work in now. My various gadgets/tools, clockwise from lower left corner, are:
- keyboard ... hope to get more into music/piano this fall, after ignoring it for a while.
- my main computer ... nothing special. Old, no wifi card so I use internet with ...
- my small netbook on the small table, with my ...
- Kindle next to it.
So here is everything I need to do anything I seem to want to do. There's a radio here as well, for music and CDs. There's a small TV for watching cassettes. Pretty compact but complete office, now somewhat clean and -- this was the main work -- considerably less cluttered. I really should have done before and after photos.
Big games Saturday
Two big Pac 12 games forthcoming, Oregon State at UCLA in the afternoon, Arizona at Oregon in the evening, both could hold surprises. I, of course, am rooting for my two alma maters.
Feast of Fools and the Rule of Money | Common Dreams
Feast of Fools and the Rule of Money | Common Dreams:
"How American Democracy Became the Property of a Commercial Oligarchy"
"How American Democracy Became the Property of a Commercial Oligarchy"
UCLA Football: The Transformation Under Jim Mora Is Astounding | Bleacher Report
UCLA Football: The Transformation Under Jim Mora Is Astounding | Bleacher Report:
Yes, it is ... but we'll know more in December.
Yes, it is ... but we'll know more in December.
The life of Ford Madox Ford
The life of Ford Madox Ford:
"Ford's biographer Max Saunders explores the life of one of the most mercurial, protean figures in literary history."
"Ford's biographer Max Saunders explores the life of one of the most mercurial, protean figures in literary history."
Rural Minorities Ponder The American Dream From The Bottom Rung Of The Economic Ladder
Rural Minorities Ponder The American Dream From The Bottom Rung Of The Economic Ladder:
""I never thought there were people living like this, like we're living here, in the United States," she says. "We always thought, 'This is the United States -- it's the United States, it's the best.' We didn't think when we came here that we would live like kings, but we didn't imagine there would be places like this.""
""I never thought there were people living like this, like we're living here, in the United States," she says. "We always thought, 'This is the United States -- it's the United States, it's the best.' We didn't think when we came here that we would live like kings, but we didn't imagine there would be places like this.""
'Planetary Emergency': New Data Elevates Climate Change Alarm | Common Dreams
'Planetary Emergency': New Data Elevates Climate Change Alarm | Common Dreams:
"Arctic exploitation 'perfect indictment of our failure to get to grips with the greatest problem we've ever faced'"
Where the hell is Obama on this issue? Silent because he's afraid of losing votes.
"Arctic exploitation 'perfect indictment of our failure to get to grips with the greatest problem we've ever faced'"
Where the hell is Obama on this issue? Silent because he's afraid of losing votes.
Could Norway’s Publishing Model Work in the United States? | The Passive Voice
Could Norway’s Publishing Model Work in the United States? | The Passive Voice:
"Norway buys 1000 copies of every book a Norwegian author publishes. It provides a $19,000 annual subsidy to every author who is a member of the Authors’ Union. "
Never happen here.
"Norway buys 1000 copies of every book a Norwegian author publishes. It provides a $19,000 annual subsidy to every author who is a member of the Authors’ Union. "
Never happen here.
Hanging out around Yakima
Here are some highlights of our few days hanging out in the Yakima area. I had one disappointment: the small town of Teiton, average age under 30, a town trying to build itself on artisan businesses. It's too soon to judge this experiment, but right now there isn't much to it. Down the road, who knows? One interesting factoid: you can't get a meal other than Mexican food in town.
Toppennish is a town filled with dozens of murals throughout the city. Click image to enlarge.
Our favorite town in the area was Naches. Down home. With a hotel on Main St for future reference.
Came home on old road through Klickitat, no traffic, great, and found summer rentals on the river in K for future reference.
 |
| Yakima area |
Our favorite town in the area was Naches. Down home. With a hotel on Main St for future reference.
 |
| Lunch in Naches |
 |
| Along Klickitat River: joy is in the timing |
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
A Deeper Look At False Balance On PBS News Hour | ThinkProgress
A Deeper Look At False Balance On PBS News Hour | ThinkProgress:
Equal time for flat earthers, is what it amounts to. Ridiculous.
Equal time for flat earthers, is what it amounts to. Ridiculous.
A great book
I really am enjoying my revisit with the Rhodes book on the atomic bomb. What makes this book so special is not its momentous subject matter but the author's lively portrayals of the players. Just first rate.
Dancing on the Titanic
For the life of me I don' understand why the folks at the Daily Kos and other liberal churches think the election is over. They spend far too much time preaching to the choir and not enough hsanging out in blue collar bars. This is a very divided country. The election will be decided by turnout and what liberals see as R's mistakes in fact are inspiring the base big time. Not the professional politicians. The base, the voters. I think R's chances have improved. We progressives must run scared, not imdulge in the usual masturbatory celebrations.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Explorations
Checking out small towns around Yakima. Teiton disappointing. Naches is wonderful. Details follow. Now for route home ...
Rereading
Kindle just released the brilliant Richard Rhodes book on making the atomic bomb, which I read twenty years ago. Now again and just a few pages in reminds me what a fine book this is. And long so this will keep me busy for a while.
Here's the deal
Hey "checking out" does not mean the Big S! Yesterday was a quick blog entry on the road to mark the date. Our deck being repaired ... we took off to keep out of the way ... in Yakima ... hanging out and soon home to new deck. School final prep. But all is well!
i love brown landscape. Brown over green. Must be from San Gabriel mts of youth.
Hanging out is great.
i love brown landscape. Brown over green. Must be from San Gabriel mts of youth.
Hanging out is great.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
How to boil an egg | Life and style | The Observer
How to boil an egg | Life and style | The Observer:
"Everyone knows how to do it. But to get your egg absolutely perfect every time, follow Simon Hopkinson's advice"
"Everyone knows how to do it. But to get your egg absolutely perfect every time, follow Simon Hopkinson's advice"
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens – review | Books | The Observer
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens – review | Books | The Observer:
"Dickens's tale of love and revolution in London and Paris is among his finest, both intimate and epic in scale"
"Dickens's tale of love and revolution in London and Paris is among his finest, both intimate and epic in scale"
Jack Kerouac's ex-girlfriend lifts lid on beat novelist's rise and fall | Books | The Observer
Jack Kerouac's ex-girlfriend lifts lid on beat novelist's rise and fall | Books | The Observer:
"Joyce Johnson, an accomplished author, also dispels the myth that Kerouac's writing was effortlessly spontaneous. Where he claimed his novel On the Road was written in a blast of energy during three weeks in 1951 she recalls that he spent years revising his work and carefully crafted each paragraph."
"Joyce Johnson, an accomplished author, also dispels the myth that Kerouac's writing was effortlessly spontaneous. Where he claimed his novel On the Road was written in a blast of energy during three weeks in 1951 she recalls that he spent years revising his work and carefully crafted each paragraph."
Iran's children look on and families cry for pardons at daily hangings | World news | The Observer
Iran's children look on and families cry for pardons at daily hangings | World news | The Observer:
"Once as a child, on my way to school, I became an inadvertent spectator of an execution, my eyes shocked at seeing the guards draping a rope around the neck of a convict. The sight has haunted me ever since."
What are the limits of cultural relativism?
"Once as a child, on my way to school, I became an inadvertent spectator of an execution, my eyes shocked at seeing the guards draping a rope around the neck of a convict. The sight has haunted me ever since."
What are the limits of cultural relativism?
Sunday morning QB
Nothing like reading the LA Times after a UCLA game. Several long stories on game from every angle. That's what a real newspaper does ... hint hint.
Now conf play begins
UCLA had an easy but sloppy win. Five turnovers. But Houston had six. Need to be better Sat. when Ore St comes to the Rose Bowl.
I can't remember the last time the Bruins were the only undefeated football team in LA!
Defense impressive last night.
I can't remember the last time the Bruins were the only undefeated football team in LA!
Defense impressive last night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
