I've been trying, here, to dig down and write some things that are real (even if they don't frame me in the best light), and what's on my mind today is vanity. My own vanities are a weird mix---things I literally don't even bother to look at, and things I obsess about as if they … Continue reading Vanity Fair (or Unfair)
Category: Culture
A Horror-Stricken Ostrich
Note: I hardly ever, ever go into politics here, for reasons that are about to become apparent. This post is an exception. I feel like I should give warning, in the same way that some shows warn when there will be flashing lights or adult language... Be warned. Political anxiety ahead. *** I don't do … Continue reading A Horror-Stricken Ostrich
Podcast Debrief
For all my angst-ing ahead of time ("On the Subject of Being the Subject"), I very much enjoyed my conversation with Josh Pantalleresco of "Just Joshing". Although it occurs to me that I did rather deflect from being-the-subject by asking him questions... You would too, I think---he's literally walking and hitching across continents (Canada, then … Continue reading Podcast Debrief
Advice for Mr. Pickletoes
I had a pleasant email this morning from a fellow blogger, JJ Pickletoes, and one of his questions deserved some thought. And as I thought, I remembered a principle I followed as a teacher: if one person asked the question, other people probably had that same question too. In a classroom, I'd address it openly … Continue reading Advice for Mr. Pickletoes
On the Subject of Being the Subject
"My eighth rule of success," the Interviewer says, "is to stay uncomfortable." He's talking about making choices in life, and not just staying in your comfort zone. I'm listening to this podcast---the Interviewer and his two subjects on topics ranging comfortably from Buddhist practices to travel to the character of Canadians compared to Americans---because I'm … Continue reading On the Subject of Being the Subject
Drama, Drama, Book Sale
Our little town of Pendleton, Oregon, is famous for its rodeo---but the RoundUp is not the annual event that goes on my calendar. That honor is reserved for the Pendleton Library's annual book sale. I can't think of any concert or rally or Black Friday sale that I'd stand in line for, but for the … Continue reading Drama, Drama, Book Sale
Here a Duck, There a Duck
In the Philippines, the streets are crowded with--- Well, I could just make that a full stop. The streets are CROWDED. But among the things that crowd them are specimens of a form of public transportation known as the "Jeepney"---a sort of mashup between jeep and school bus, often open-sided and always painted with incredible … Continue reading Here a Duck, There a Duck






