Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

Tom, Dick, and Harry

Posted on November 9, 2020 by JMN

There was a fun question in my daily Spanish Quora: ¿Existe en inglés el equivalente a “fulano, mengano y zutano”? The consensus in the answer thread was that “Tom, Dick and Harry” was the closest equivalent. I’m reminded of my … Continue reading →

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The Squat

Posted on November 6, 2020 by JMN

I learned the term “typosquatting” today. Shortly after 2:30 a.m. on October 30, 2020, Twump tweeted the hashtag “#BidenCrimeFamiily” with no other context or link. That extra “i” circumvented Twitter’s efforts to hide the hashtag in search results. Called #typosquatting, … Continue reading →

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Bookshop.org

Posted on November 5, 2020 by JMN

I buy an unconscionable raft of goods from Amazon, but I’d rather get my books from a bookstore. This article brings good news. Bookshop.org allows any independent shop to customise its own online store front, select books to recommend and, … Continue reading →

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Hello, World

Posted on November 3, 2020 by JMN

I’m going into my 9th month of shielding in the Untied States looking forward to a beautiful South Texas winter. I take comfort from the life of the mind — reading, painting, music. I’m grateful for my roof, patio, pets, … Continue reading →

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Iambo-Pentametricism

Posted on October 30, 2020 by JMN

ApothegmHow does a country get to see the backof a leader who has only affront?(JMN) Iambo-Pentametricization of Codified Peroration“So we have many exciting things thatwe will be announcing over the nexteight weeks, I would say things that nobodyhas even contemplated, … Continue reading →

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Michelangelo Pistoletto

Posted on October 29, 2020 by JMN

This article introduces me to Arte Povera (poor or plain art), a movement whose heyday ended in the 70s, known for it use of humble materials such as rags and newspaper. A major exponent, Michelangelo Pistoletto, has said, “Art is … Continue reading →

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‘Uninvited Guests’

Posted on October 23, 2020 by JMN

Carlos G. Navarro, curator of “Uninvited Guests,” the Prado’s first post-lockdown exhibition, says it’s “partly an act of self-criticism” for the museum’s complicity in neglect of 19th-century female artists. Of 130 works displayed, 60 are by women. One wonders why … Continue reading →

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Backages & Shortlogs

Posted on October 22, 2020 by JMN

The Guardian reports a crisis fermenting in South Korea: cabbage for making kimchi has run short. Its link to the intrepid cowpoke fleshing street-level USA will not be obvious, but an old snatch from Finnegans Wake helps connect the dots: … Continue reading →

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Lightning Gauge

Posted on October 21, 2020 by JMN

More than one Texas rancher weathering a drought has shrugged off a passing storm saying he got about an inch-and-a-half of lightning from it. Language note: as an adjective, “Texan” is not heard much in Texas cities. (c) 2020 JMN

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The ‘Tintanic’ Runs on Octopower

Posted on October 19, 2020 by JMN

I have a fictitious acquaintance with the Chichester locale via Sir Alistair Chichester of Chichesterton-upon-Hogg. There’ll always be a Britain in my fancies. (c) 2020 JMN

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