I readily admit that it was the provocative title of the book that suckered me in. I was hoping the book would have more of a sociological bent, given that the author has a history of political activism, but it was totally focused on Buddhism and mindfulness. I’ve read a few books on mindfulness and meditation, and I do meditate…
Today is World Rabies Day. With a mortality rate of 99.9%, rabies is the deadliest disease in the world. Human cases of rabies are rare in the U.S., but in underdeveloped parts of the world (Asia and Africa in particular), rabies kills approximately 60,000 people annually, the majority being children under the age of 15. Most cases result from…
Although I’ve had an iPhone for years, I still feel like a novice when it comes to iPhone photography. I’m still developing my own photographic style, but I feel that I’ve found the genre that suits me best: street photography. Opinions vary as to a precise definition of street photography, but for me, it’s candid photos of ordinary people, taken…
This is, hands-down, one of the best memoirs I’ve read in a long time. This is a coming of age story taking place in the 60’s and 70’s. The author’s search to find self-acceptance as a gay teenager and to earn the love and respect of his father leads him on a tumultuous, drug-fueled journey across the country. It’s a…
In my quest to improve my photography skills, I’ve been reading books on the topic. I still feel like a beginner, so most of the books I’m reading are inspirational and instructional manuals designed to help you in composing compelling photographs. This book is really terrific. I found myself understanding and relating to all of his ideas and opinions. The…
The pandemic has frustratingly closed off many of my former avenues of enjoyment in retirement. However, one advantage of my not being able to go to gyms, museums, and movies is that I have a lot of free time during the day to pursue my newfound passion, street photography, and there’s no shortage of subject matter or inspiration here in…
I breezed through this very enjoyable, very readable book. Chris Frantz takes you back to the art school origins of Talking Heads, the heady, exciting early days of New York punk (lots of cool stories about CBGBs), the exhilarating early European tours where they toured with bands like the Ramones and XTC. He describes the creative process that gave rise…
Yesterday was the long-awaited reopening of MoMA. Visits must be reserved online ahead of time, and Mondays are set aside for members only. I’ve been a member for years. When I got there yesterday, I was asked to show my invitation. I said I thought it was open for members today, and she said that was next week, that today…
Just about 40 years ago, on a hot summer Saturday, I attended one of the best concerts ever. Despite the incredible lineup of performers, it still remains relatively obscure. In the early summer of 1980, I was told about an outdoor concert that was to take place in Toronto in August. Billed as a “Punk Woodstock”, “New Wave Woodstock”, or…
This author won the National Book Award in 2011 for her novel Salvage the Bones (which I have, but haven’t read yet). Last year, I read her novel Sing, Unburied, Sing, and it was fabulous. Men We Reaped is a memoir. In this book she tells the stories, and tries to come to terms with, the deaths of five men…
Last week, I read a Washington Post article about how there has been a huge surge in dog adoptions since the pandemic began. According to the article, shelters, rescue groups, pet stores, and breeders are having a hard time keeping up with demand. Rescue groups are getting dozens of applications for individual dogs. People have put themselves on waiting lists…
