Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

A Painter’s Painter With Painterly Allure

Posted on March 1, 2019 by JMN

… In its sheer variety and vitality, this exhibition is optimistic, and generous in spirit. It reaffirms Mr. Johns as, foremost, a painter’s painter and a working artist rather than an art historical subject. In it he revisits three or … Continue reading →

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The Fall and Fall of Title Editing

Posted on February 16, 2019 by JMN

Two headlines appearing for different articles in The Guardian on Saturday, February 16, 2019: “Generation next: the rise – and rise – of the new poets” (Sarah Crown) “What does it meme? The rise and rise of the fashion viral” … Continue reading →

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“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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