History
At The American Scene, Jim Manzi speculates that we are seeing a liberal realignment in the 2008 election. I agree that a realignment is happening, though I have no idea if it will turn out to be liberal or whether it will happen this year or in 2012. However, it
Portland
A man in his late 50s or early 60s, sitting with stocking feet on a rocking chair on the porch of a Craftsman house on Southeast Salmon Street on a cool late-summer evening. A traditional American scene, like something out of Norman Rockwell. Except for how intently he was texting
Commerce
The east side of Portland is littered with ugly two-story apartment buildings of early '60s vintage. If you live in Portland, you know what I'm talking about: The long, low bricks; the rusted metal stairs; the fading pale paint; the ratty parking lot; the juniper bushes. So
Texas
Thomas Gray posts pictures of the storm damage near his house in Houston. I spent a lot of time in that neighborhood when I lived in Houston, and I remember those trees and houses. Staggering. Just staggering.
Music
Norman Whitfield, the leading songwriter and producer of Motown's psychedelic years, died Tuesday of complications from diabetes. He was the producer for The Temptations from 1966 to 1973. "Ball of Confusion"? That was his. "I Wish It Would Rain"? Him, too. "Ain'
Music
I love Mojo magazine, but I do not subscribe to it and I never read it. Why? Because I lack the time to listen to the music I already know to buy. Why pay $150/year to be frustrated?
California
It was 20 years ago last night that I spent my first night in the dorms at Ohio State. Last night, I dreamed that I was checking in to Morrill Tower all over again, but this time I was 38. (The number of people who know me who would be
Books
A cover blurb from the paperback edition of Jonathan I. Israel's Radical Enlightenment: One of the truly great historical works of the decade. The book and the blurb were published in 2001.
Commerce
The rivalry between shoemakers Adidas and Puma is based on a Nazi family feud. Who knew?
History
Very old presidential candidate? Check. Campaign presents wealthy presidential candidate as a simple man of the people? Check. Campaign fetishizes presidential candidate's military experience? Check. Campaign focused on insults to the exclusion of issues? Check. Little-known vice-presidential candidate with uncertain party loyalties, chosen purely for balance? Check. William
Life
If there is a better motivator to clean a messy desk than spilling a half a glass of water across it, I do not know what it is.
Yardwork
Before moving into my current rental, my lifetime experience with yardwork was nearly nil, which means that I am learning as I go. Earlier tonight I took my first close look at the front lawn (most of my work in the front yard so far has been pulling ivy, weeding