Skip All The Dogma

Over the last few years I have been exploring contemplation and ever-so-slowly developing an ever more contemplative life, one working toward having a more direct connection with the divine. Seeking the absolute in that way is what I believe is called "mysticism". Dogma and belief systems in general have been sticking points for me in … Continue reading Skip All The Dogma →

Pancakes and Syrup

"My love of maple syrup. I've been known to knock back a can over a couple days: A swig here, a swig there, and next thing you know it's gone. It's a habit I have to stave off. I don't want to lose all my teeth." Rufus Wainwright Pancakes and Syrup In the World of … Continue reading Pancakes and Syrup →

Common Courtesy

"Going to prison is like dying with your eyes open." Bernard Kerik Common Courtesy I don't live in a rough neighborhood. These eyes have never seen a fight or any violence. Around the corner and up the street is a local convenience store that is open twenty-four hours. I walk over there maybe five times … Continue reading Common Courtesy →

I Feel Pretty: My Review

"To be really great, you need to be naturally funny in order to stand out. But you can work at it, and find the best vehicle that you have to communicate what you're saying to people." Amy Schumer I Feel Pretty: My Review I saw this movie with my sister yesterday and we both enjoyed … Continue reading I Feel Pretty: My Review →

Reading the Local Paper

The headline: Kearney, Kroth Address Optimists The Lead: “At the noon meeting of the Olathe Optimist Club yesterday, Tom Kearney and Mike Kroth spoke on their experiences last week at Boy’s State.” Best quote: “In his speech, Kearney reiterated the words of the 1969 governor who said, ‘I don’t believe in a black race or … Continue reading Reading the Local Paper →

Facebook: Facial Recognition

"I updated my grilling app, iGrill, today and it now has Facebook integration that lets you see what other people are grilling right now around the world. Awesome." Mark Zuckerberg Facebook: Facial Recognition It is also called Faceprinting. Today, I turned off the feature in my Facebook account. But, I know that it is also … Continue reading Facebook: Facial Recognition →

I am the Prodigal Son

I wrote these lyrics for one of those kind of upbeat church service bands with drums, guitars, and such. It's probably sacrilegious but I don't mean it to be. I'm not a musician so I can't complete the song, but I still can feel the melody and the beat inside as I read this. Maybe … Continue reading I am the Prodigal Son →

Gershwin and Free Bird

"People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it's simply necessary to love." Claude Monet Gershwin and Free Bird I am feeling great today. It is a good day to be alive. I woke up this morning and looked out my window over to the Sandia Mountains. … Continue reading Gershwin and Free Bird →

I Am Better

“One of the problems that comes from being raised in a patriotic and chauvinistic culture like ours is that we are bred from birth to believe in our own superiority (italics added). It’s not only patriotism that instills this conviction. Our religions, our ethnic back grounds, our educational and cultural training, and the media advertising … Continue reading I Am Better →

Facing the Critics

"A good writer is not, per se, a good book critic. No more so than a good drunk is automatically a good bartender." Jim Bishop Facing the Critics Not every movie is a block buster. Sometimes I pretend that actors get three movie deals; the big studio movie, the dud and then one which is … Continue reading Facing the Critics →