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.

Australian Bub Sledging

Posted on February 9, 2019 by JMN

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/07/voting-in-cute-baby-competition-halted-after-parents-slam-hideous-rivals Public voting in an Australian clothing company’s baby pageant competition has been cancelled because of out-of-control parents sledging the appearances of other parents’ infants. (c) 2019 JMN.

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Candid Ambivalence About the Grammys

Posted on February 9, 2019 by JMN

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/08/brandi-carlile-grammys-country-gay-marriage-cancun Does she want to win? “Oh my God!” [Brandi Carlile] says, as though the thought actually hasn’t crossed her mind. “I don’t know if it’s about wanting to win. I fucking care so much about the nominations. I’m never … Continue reading →

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“All important problems are insoluble”

Posted on February 9, 2019 by JMN

nyti.ms/2UPbVSf [Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. in his 1949 book “The Vital Center”] himself acknowledged that the center could never occupy a fixed location, and that it would continue to adapt to new challenges; “all important problems are insoluble,” he wrote. … Continue reading →

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What’s an Antonym for “Draconian”?

Posted on February 8, 2019 by JMN

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/08/jeff-bezos-blackmail-national-enquirer-trump But in the wake of the new revelations the Associated Press has reported that federal investigators are now looking at whether the recent revelations mean AMI [publisher of the National Enquirer] has violated that agreement. The agreement requires AMI … Continue reading →

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Gucci Goo: SIC-ening

Posted on February 7, 2019 by JMN

THIS JUST IN: British Journal “Sic”s American Spelling of Italian Press Release” “… We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization [sic].” (Gucci) (Morwenna Ferrier, “Gucci withdraws $890 jumper after blackface backlash,” The Guardian, 2-7-19) (c) 2019 JMN.

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Stinky Smelly Words

Posted on February 7, 2019 by JMN

I recently posted a quotation from a profile of a grammar and style guru who was unable even to pronounce aloud the words “stinky” and “smelly” for the interviewer. He found them that repellant. A fellow blogger contributed “feet” as … Continue reading →

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Fretwork: Positions

Posted on February 7, 2019 by JMN

(1) Positions refer to the left hand (on a right-handed guitarist). The left hand is the hand that fingers notes and chords on the fretboard. (2) The following is from Wikipedia: In the left hand, each finger is responsible for … Continue reading →

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Fretwork: Guitar String Numbering

Posted on February 7, 2019 by JMN

(1) Conventional numbering for guitar strings is from high to low. In standard tuning the strings are numbered: E = 1 B = 2 G = 3 D = 4 A = 5 E = 6 (2) Guitar tuning, on … Continue reading →

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“A Squeamish and Skittering Ride”

Posted on February 5, 2019 by JMN

I’ve toiled in this business for nearly 20 years, and even in the best of times it has been a squeamish and skittering ride, the sort of career you’d counsel your kids to avoid in favor of something less volatile … Continue reading →

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Beatle Haircut Forgery?

Posted on February 5, 2019 by JMN

National Gallery’s 1450 portrait by Rogier van der Weyden was created in the 1960s by Eric Hebborn, says art historian. … Wright ridicules the haircut of the figure who is reading a text that is “gobbledegook” – “an impossibility for … Continue reading →

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