Author Archives: JMN

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About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.

Latinx Redux

Dr. García Peña has been involved in… the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures’ program in Latinx studies [my bolding]. (Latinx is a gender-neutral term for people of Latin American heritage, used commonly in academia.) (Kate Taylor, “Denying a Professor … Continue reading

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Note to Self: Research This Mindset

Britain is a rich country and may fare better than others. But the N.H.S. is creaking at the seams after years of underfunding [my bolding]. A decade of cuts by successive Conservative governments has stripped the service of resources. Staff … Continue reading

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Dispatch from the Charwoman

I’ve received from a political entity email that closes as follows: James, it’s never been more clear that the work we do at the HDCC matters a great deal. Our Democratic candidates are continuing to fight for health care coverage … Continue reading

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Disordered Stick Bombs

“… A steady state hysteresis caused by reversible slippage”: There are passages in this article about the study of bird nests that read for me like poetry written in the language of physics. One effort to disentangle the structural dynamics … Continue reading

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Artyfacts, Booze Nicked from Posh Uni

[Blotter summary courtesy of Nick Mansfield Branded Fictions and Hand-Me-Down Press] Break-in at purpose-built, Queen-opened Christ Church college netted burglars three high-value old pix described as “important cultural artefacts.” It’s a fresh-dealt blow to Oxford college already reeling from mysterious … Continue reading

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For Núria

Te pongo aquí un cuadro reciente, tonto y burlón, mal logrado por supuesto, de ejecución turbia, hiciera lo que hiciera. Está pintado sobre otro cuadro que hizo tu abuelo, mi papá. El suyo fue un desnudo masculino sentado, visto de … Continue reading

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For Nuria

En tu casa te esperan una gata, una guitarra, y un avi que te quiere mucho. JMN 15 de marzo 2020

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Assume the Position

[Illustration from Bret Stephens, “Trump Meets Nemesis, Punisher of Hubris,” NYTimes, 3-13-20] (c) 2020 JMN

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Tummlers

Yes, it saw the invention of cars, airplanes, and computers, but the 20th century will be remembered most for its chronic wars. However, a sweet vestige to preserve from then is what’s known as the “tummler,” a term introduced to … Continue reading

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All Hail the Mighty State

“Texas, our Texas, so wonderful and great…” goes the song. “Texas is one of the most prepared states for public health disasters in the U.S.” (Tweet by Governor Greg Abbott on March 9, 2020) State with highest number of people … Continue reading

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