The return drive to Illinois was uneventful, as has been the case in normal times. These are not normal times. The covid-19 virus is spreading. The symptoms have not yet become apparent as the virus spreads exponentially, and quietly begins to live within our bodies, before we become really, really sick. Many of us…
The 1968 song was written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham for Alex Chilton of the Boxtops. The “Cry like a baby” tagline came to Oldham in the early morning hours at Porky’s Diner across the street from the studio. Penn and Oldham returned to the studio and finished the song in a few…
Unchained Melody Oh, my love My darling I’ve hungered for your touch A long, lonely time And time goes by so slowly And time can do so much Are you still mine? I need your love I need your love God speed your love to me Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the…
Consequent to a phone conversation with a friend yesterday, I was asked to write about the covid-19 epidemic that is much in the media. His suggestion seemed like a good idea to me. Who is not aware of the recently discovered virus, belonging to the corona family that has made many sick in Hubei…
It is easy for the mind to indulge. The opposite is also easy, to renounce. To move to the extreme is easy for the mind. To remain in the middle, exactly in the middle, is the most difficult thing for the mind because it is suicide for the mind. The mind dies in the…
I read an essay written by a friend, a recollection of the 60s when our country was riven by division. The up and coming generation took to the streets to protest the sending of their generation to kill Vietnamese, on the pretext of halting communism. The rift in our society was political and ethical. …
The systemic drive of capitalism produces cheapening labor (reduce input costs) expanding markets (new venues for profit) economic growth constant innovation in production ushering in a new order of economic reason, of governing rationality. Thus capital itself, gives shape to human worlds, the power of world making. Capital dominates the human beings, and human…
Good work of any kind presents many potential insights. One has to chose one’s focus, what to consider and write about. Artists say more than they are consciously aware in their work. The lyric of China Girl was composed by David Bowie and Iggy Pop in 1976. The lyric and tune sizzle. There are…
I was unable to post this morning. I am in the midst of a rewrite, my update of a “This I Believe” statement that I wrote in 1983 when in grad school. A friend asked that I post the statement, which I will do. The world of society which includes language terms, and issues…
It is the eighth day of gray overcast here in the Midwest. I anticipate my appointment with the medical technician for a blood draw in about an hour. No breakfast yet, as fasting is required. Will the caffeine in this tall black coffee help? I can’t tell. Where do you turn for a recharge…
