Category Archives: USA

New York State of Mind

Both branches of my family emigrated to New York City from Eastern Europe during the late 19th century. So, it’s natural that I’ve always viewed New York as the center of the known universe. Back in the 19th century, marketers … Continue reading

Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Art, History, Museums, Photography, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How big was it

Growing up in and around New York City I have always been fascinated by the process of urbanization. So the animation (below) by Ollie Bye intrigued me. The examination of the growth of the world’s largest cities from 3000 BCE … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, Asia, Europe, Film, History, Maps, Middle East, South America, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

How could they leave it out

Last week, the Atlantic magazine published a list of great American novels — 136 of them. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve only read 60 or so novels on the list. However, when I took a closer look at the … Continue reading

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

One man’s junk is another man’s museum

I’m not much of a collector, other than books, but I have to respect this guy’s commitment to his beachcombing project. The video below is an intimate portrait of retired plumber John Anderson and his 46-year obsession with collecting manmade … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Museums, USA | Tagged , | Leave a comment

In March the earth remembers its own name

Twelve Moons – Mary Oliver 1 In March the earth remembers its own name. Everywhere the plates of snow are cracking. The rivers begin to sing. In the sky the winter stars are sliding away; new stars appear as, later, … Continue reading

Posted in USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It is no secret

It is no secret. All power is one in source and end, I think. Tears and distances, stars and candles, water and wind and wizardry, the craft in a man’s hand and the wisdom in a tree’s root: they all … Continue reading

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Do you miss your old typewriter

I don’t know about you, but I don’t miss my old typewriters at all. Still, I was intrigued by this video typewriter-centric performance.  The Boston Typewriter Orchestra is a nostalgic combo that engages in rhythmic typewriter manipulation combined with elements … Continue reading

Posted in Film, Music, Tech, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Just wait, to see what’s going to happen.

  Raymond Carver’s “At Least” I want to get up early one more morning, before sunrise. Before the birds, even. I want to throw cold water on my face and be at my work table when the sky lightens and … Continue reading

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Reader in Residence

Perelandra Bookshop, Fort Collins, Colo., is offering a reader-in-residence program that, unlike more traditional artist-in-residence or writer-in-residence programs, does not require anything “except show up to the bookstore a couple of times per week and read,” the Coloradoan reported. “I think the residence paralleled … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Once Upon a Time in L.A.

Film director Quentin Tarantino has opened a coffee shop thematically based on the 1973 movie “Coffy” staring Pam Grier. True fans certainly remember that Grier played the lead role in the Tarantino movie Jackie Brown. The coffeeshop is attached to … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, Art, Film, Restaurants, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment