Columns

[blue rare]—Lilac Wine (Through a Glass, Darkly)

Aside from the basic physical characteristics, how much do we really know about the person peering back at us from the bathroom mirror each morning?  Sometimes I think I know my own doppelganger only superficially, at best.  I know he likes 1960s jazz, Irish poetry, deep-dish pizza, oysters on the half shell, and New York-style… Read more »

My Crazy Life – Ottawa’s Philadelphia Lawyer

Ask anybody you know whether a parking ticket or any other ticket can be annulled after it gets issued. They will guarantee it is not, I say it is. Ask anybody you know to tell you how difficult it is to get reimbursed by a municipality as a result of their negligence. They will say… Read more »

Dear Barb—Money Handling

Dear Barb: Hi, I graduated a few years ago and was fortunate to find a decent job with good pay and benefits.  I live a frugal lifestyle, so I have been able to save a lot of money.  The problem is my family and friends think I should be spending more money on trips and… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—Postmodernist Literature

From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge.  Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile. From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and… Read more »

Fly on the Wall—Ouch, That Smarts!

It seems that no one proclaims that they’ve taken an online IQ test and found out that they’re really dumb.  Either that or those who fail to pass genius muster are smart enough to keep it to themselves.  I’ve never attempted one of these tests, figuring that at AU our inborn intelligence proffers less rewards… Read more »

Music Review—Tired Hearts

Artist: Bailen Album: Tired Hearts Alternative/indie band, Bailen, has released their new album Tired Hearts.  The album is available for streaming anywhere you get your music. Bailen consists of fraternal twins Daniel and David Bailen, as well as their younger sister Julia Bailen.  The band has recently started an initiative called Family Therapy, offering their… Read more »

Dear Barb—In the Heat of the Moment

Dear Barb: I am a guy in my early thirties.  My girlfriend and I had been living together for eight years until I ended it six months ago.  The problem is I did not want to end it, I just got angry and said it was over and that I was moving out.  A week… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—Folk Tales

From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge.  Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile. From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and… Read more »

Homemade is Better—Ham and Swiss Breakfast Wrap

I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off! Spring has sprung, and May rolled in like a lion!  This pace has prevented me from getting these recipes done for a while, but here is another entry into my compendium of culinary delights.  This week I made myself a delicious breakfast… Read more »