Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

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 →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in Commentary, Quotations | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fixing To

Posted on January 30, 2019 by JMN

[Drawing by Tom Jones] I’m fixing to get back into the swing of things blogwise. Since November I’ve been immersed in a Mediterranean voyage of discovery and recovery in the family nature of things. “Fixing to” (the “g” is silent) … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | Leave a comment

Draw It, Remember It

Posted on January 18, 2019 by JMN

In other words, drawing out the things we want to remember can be a powerful technique to combat our natural declines in memory, better even than repeatedly writing them down or listing characteristics and descriptors. (Tim Herrera, “A Simple Way … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 4 Comments

Expressions

Posted on January 18, 2019 by JMN

My Spanish grandson, a computer science student, reads novels in English by authors such as Ken Follett to sharpen his skills in that language. He wrestles with colloquialisms and slang expressions that he encounters. The one he mentioned specifically was … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 4 Comments

Thank you for asking

Posted on January 6, 2019 by JMN

“How many Likes?” It behooves me not to get fouled up in the stats. This blog is a self-pleasuring diary with benefits. I intend to let it spurt beyond my passing for a beat, then go poof with me into … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | Leave a comment

Language and Music

Posted on January 4, 2019 by JMN

mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wvxu/files/styles/small/public/201810/otis_rush.cobra_cover.jpg THE SONG BEGINS with a great resonating shout of joy and pain that resolves into the word “Well,” swooping down from a soaring A flat to E flat. “I can’t quit you, baby,” the singer continues, the band entering … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Anal Linguist Rides Again

Posted on January 4, 2019 by JMN

Despite being sequenced, there are still many questions that remain unanswered about the 1918 strain, such as where it originated *from*. (Nicole Karlis, “The same flu virus that caused the 1918 pandemic is back this year,” Salon, 1-3-19) That “from” … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 4 Comments

A Good Guitar

Posted on January 2, 2019 by JMN

I bought this guitar new at a music store in Reus (Catalonia – Spain) for 260 euros. The brand is “Alhambra,” not one I was familiar with. Made in Spain. I must give it its due here and say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 2 Comments

Losing It

Posted on January 1, 2019 by JMN

“I completely understand — it’s the two greatest players of all time,” Mouratoglou said of the attention. “But I’m really focused on the singles, because my goal is that she [Williams] wins the Australian Open.” (Ben Rothenberg, “Serena Williams and … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 6 Comments