Fleurs du mort
I’ve posted one or two of these, but here’s the whole series in one spot.
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RIP Adam Schlesinger
Others have eulogized Adam far better than I can, but I wanted to share a couple of words and some of my favorite songs by a truly generational songwriter. Somehow Fountains of Wayne only had one hit, and that alone tells you all you need to know about radio. He had this epic sense for a melody. His lyrics were
Read moreHelplessly Hoping
This is sublime. This is technology at its best. Thanks to Frank Venturo for passing it along.
Read moreA New Symbol for Progressive Democracy
Social Democracy is not Socialism, but a mixed economic approach that balances the strengths of capitalism with a deep commitment to social justice. I’ve been flying the flag of the Weimar Republic’s Iron Front a lot lately. If you don’t know who they were, here’s a brief intro: The Iron Front was a German paramilitary organization in the Weimar Republic
Read moreFrom Norris to winterSmith: A Long Quest for Identity
One of the first things my parents did when I was born was saddle me with the wrong name: Norris Gilmer Smith, Jr.
Read moreJoe Can’t Win! Really? Let’s Review….
The Biden Can’t Beat Trump meme is powerful these days, and it’s an opinion held by some people I have a lot of respect for. But. Look, I hate Biden for all the reasons every sensible progressive does. But it’s like we’ve all forgotten what actually happened in 2016. Trump didn’t romp because he hate this irresistible tidal wave of
Read moreEpitaph
I can’t decide what to have them put on my tombstone. Advice? 1: He was a simple country boy. 2: The world ends not with a bang Not even a whimper But with ellipses… 3: He was a blind man playing tag with ninjas in the dark
Read moreTeach Me Baroque Art History
I have seven letters after my name, but I often feel as though I’m in desperate need of education. I can’t look at the news without thinking how much I’d benefit from a good history degree, for instance. More and more when I listen to music I wish I understood the mathematics of tone. And speaking of math, I envy
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Please Stay
Jackson Browne has tested positive…
Read moreQuantum Enlightenment and the Watched Pot
Sōgi bows before Ikkyū. “Master Dōken rebuked me this morning,” he says. “What did you do this time?” replies Ikkyū. “Nothing. I merely asked why the bird sings in its gilded cage.” Ikkyū sighs. “What was the Master doing?” Sōgi reflects for a moment. “At the time he seemed rather agitated at a pot of water.” “What did he say
Read moreNew here?
Visitor to America: Hello! I am new in your country. Can you teach me importants for live here? Me: Visitor to America: OK! Am now leaving!
Read moreCurtain Call: Spring Equinox 2020
Happy Equinox the Pit.
Read moreSo Eric Carmen lifted Rachmaninov for “All By Myself?”
Hmmm…
Read moreWelcome to the Fall of Rome
Send lawyers, guns, and money Dad get me out of this
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lullaby pit 