Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

“Flowers” and Candy Bars

Posted on February 10, 2019 by JMN

[Watercolor by Harold J. Nichols, 1924-2013] I’ve started viewing “Flowers” on Netflix, a British series starring Olivia Colman. In episode 2, I think I heard a character ask a refreshment vendor for “two Clunks and a Milky Finger.” The vendor … Continue reading →

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The Best Way to Enjoy Movies

Posted on February 10, 2019 by JMN

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/10/why-didnt-liam-neeson-just-stick-to-script The best way of enjoying a film is to know nothing at all about the actors. Except that they’re famous and good sports. (David Mitchell, “Why didn’t Liam Neeson just stick to the script?”, The Guardian, 2-10-19) I’m too … 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: 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 Quaint Plaint Spoken to the Wind

Posted on February 5, 2019 by JMN

Sombrerismo is a spurious derivative coinage hatched by a cheeky blogger from the Spanish word for “hat” (sombrero). This etiquette-challenged perversion may be a sub-attribute of machismo, a term more familiar to the anglophone community. A man commits sombrerismo when … Continue reading →

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The Staff of Life. And Caviar.

Posted on February 2, 2019 by JMN

[Photo by JMN — Reus, Catalonia] You need to start with good white toast; Pepperidge Farm “Very Thin” is our preferred. It isn’t sweet like so many shelf-stabilized loaves, and it has excellent structure to stand up to the ingredients … Continue reading →

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An Interesting Painting

Posted on February 1, 2019 by JMN

This painting by Frida Kahlo appears in the article by Rebecca Kleinman, “Frida Kahlo Was a Painter, a Brand Builder, a Survivor. And So Much More,” NYTimes, 1-31-19. It’s interesting on many levels, not least for its depiction of the … Continue reading →

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Planck’s Comment (from Reddit)

Posted on January 30, 2019 by JMN

TIL Max Planck was told by his professor not to go into physics because “almost everything is already discovered.” Planck said he didn’t want to discover anything, just learn the fundamentals. (r/todayilearned) Me. Ditto. Music. That guitar. (c) 2019 JMN.

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