Columns

Fly on the Wall—Pulling Up our Big Scholar Undies

Emergent within our adult lives are many facets to be proud of: kids, families, careers, car payments, mortgages.  Yet, where there’s responsibility there’s also the potential for stress and strain and the pressing need to, as the saying goes, put on our big boy undies or big girl panties.  Some realities of growing up apply… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—Literature and Film

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 »

Can We Compete with Shania Twain in Our 90s?

Many religions believe in reincarnation.  I believe everything we do in this lifetime has implications for at least the afterlife.  But if there is an afterlife or reincarnation, we should ask ourselves this:  What if we’re better looking, fitter, wealthier, more famous, more talented, sweeter, and more intelligent than Shania Twain next lifetime?  Now, that’s… Read more »

Music Review—Pure Particles/Green Dream in F#

Artist: The Bug Club Album 1: Pure Particles Album 2: Green Dream in F# Welsh indie/garage-pop band, The Bug Club, has signed with a new record label, We Are Busy Bodies.  To celebrate, the band has reissued their first two albums, Pure Particles and Green Dream in F#.  The albums are available for streaming anywhere… Read more »

Dear Barb—Killing Time

Dear Barb: Hi, hope you are doing well.  I am a man in my forties, and I occasionally read your column.  My question is about procrastination.  I am a big-time procrastinator.  I can’t seem to get anything done, even though I have full intention of completing the task at hand.  I work in a fast-paced… Read more »

Music Review—Sicker

Artist: Melonball Album: Breathe Single: Sicker German skate-punk band, Melonball, are releasing their debut album Breathe on March 31st 2023.  In the meantime, the band has released a single from the album, titled “Sicker”.  The single is available for streaming anywhere you get your music. Melonball was formed in 2019 and consists of five members:… Read more »

[blue rare]—In the Cities of the Night

Far more than just an absence of sunlight, the nighttime is a whole different country; its borders between waking and dreams notoriously porous and uncontrolled.  In the cities of the night, winding backstreets are charged with strange energies and apparitions, more threatening than the daytime, but also more filled with the promise of mystery and… Read more »

Fly on the Wall—International Women’s Day & Emma Goldman

On International Women’s Day, March 8th, we might note one of the most vehement voices of early 20th century North American radical politics: Emma Goldman.  Her anarchist philosophies envisioned a world that embraced socioeconomic equality without either the heavy hands of industrial corporations or government bureaucracy.  For Goldman, taking a strong position with one’s feelings… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—The Beat Generation

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 »