George Bernard Shaw: “a Tolstoy with jokes”

It's true! Or a David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest 100 years 'prior to'. I was introduced to Shaw's play Pygmalion (1914) sixty some years ago. When my mother took me by the hand and made me accompany her to My Fair Lady, a modern version of the theater performance, staring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. I can't recall … Continue reading George Bernard Shaw: “a Tolstoy with jokes” →

Screwed without A Kiss

was a rough thing to accept twenty years ago; and is no easier today. Or maybe it is? After all, I'm older and more accepting and grateful - to still be here. Or is it something else? complacency? burn out? hopelessness? Here's the story My favorite intellectual, Robert Wright, just posted a reflection and look … Continue reading Screwed without A Kiss →

Birthdays

Today is my brother's 74th birthday. That's him, upper right. That's me upper left. The year was 1984. That's our father with the stovepipe hat and fake mustache. Also in the picture are our wives and children (including my two step-children). We're all 37 years older, except for our mother and father. They're diseased. There … Continue reading Birthdays →

Field of Dreams

was a movie made in 1989. It was a huge hit and starred Kevin Costner. It was about baseball, fathers and sons, family, America, and dreams. Major League Baseball came up with the idea to play a real game at the movie set in Iowa. Sure, a gimmick promotion. Nevertheless, not a bad idea considering … Continue reading Field of Dreams →

Bird personality?

Her name is Farrah. Because she's sexy, fearless and friendly. She's become my favorite finch. Maybe favorite bird ever! The Magpie Cafe is actually my balcony. It's 30 feet above the ground, covered, faces south, and has majestic views of the city and the Rocky Mountains. The actual phantasy of a real cafe was never … Continue reading Bird personality? →

Father’s Day: five years later

Does it get any easier - the loss of the father? Short answer: no. Father's Day is a commercial ploy to make money. These days, what isn't? Nevertheless, the father is important. Because without him none of us would be here. My father was both a complicated and simple man. Simple because he was basically what a … Continue reading Father’s Day: five years later →

Creeping Toward Oblivion

is what I'm doing. All of us are (even the 1%). We resist and seek relief - honestly or dishonestly. Knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously. We do this passively or actively via self-promotion with the goal being self-preservation. The Avenue or path, or road, are many. And our unique journey will vary. It could … Continue reading Creeping Toward Oblivion →

The Impractical Cabinetmaker, and ‘those people’

The Impractical Cabinetmaker (1979) was a book written by James Krenov, a Russian born, famous, fine-woodworker and philosopher. He has a lot to say about life and work, love and passion. Not unlike Sigmund Freud who intimated life was about nothing more than love and work. From Krenov's book: Not long ago I was asked: "What … Continue reading The Impractical Cabinetmaker, and ‘those people’ →

Set Yourself Free: Twelve Books to Read on Human Nature

If you've a mind to understand human nature? non-fiction may not be the best way to understand it. Or, for that matter, human behavior in general. Fiction might be more accurate. However, there is some value in science and history; and reading. Non-fiction books just might be (in some cases) more fiction, fantasy, or delusion … Continue reading Set Yourself Free: Twelve Books to Read on Human Nature →

The Perfect Storm Hypothesis

is an idea I agree with. In essence it is: What happened could not have have happened in any other way than it did. I first encountered it in a personality theory class. Raymond B. Cattell, an English/American Psychologist (1905-1998)) devised a theory, a formula, for why individuals do what they do. He was a … Continue reading The Perfect Storm Hypothesis →