I finally finished a good first draft of that cannabis article and got it sent off to 10 people so they could check the parts about them and offer corrections on anything else they spot. Already heard back from three. Not a single change requested or goof noted. That’s unusual. It won’t hold for all 10, but very nice start. The interviewees range from a police chief to a couple whose medical dispensary was destroyed by the DEA. And here they are, all in harmony, even as they come from such different perspectives. I simply can’t stress enough what a…
Category: Arts and Aesthetics
All things creative. All things beautiful, profound, and moving.
Sometimes I’m not sure which is harder: writer’s block or that rare and supposedly wondrous state of flow, where words fly from the end of your fingers without conscious input from your mind, where things like eating, getting dressed, and taking the dogs for a walk either get forgotten or force themselves upon your attention like the unforgivable person from Porlock.
I used to live for the flow state. Now it exhausts me. Definitely more exhilarating and productive than writer’s block, though.
This is going to sound very silly to some of you smart guys, but I’ve never been up in the attic crawl space of this house. Reasons are complicated and I’ll probably go into them in some future BHM article. I knew generally what was up there, but until today I’d never even climbed a ladder, stuck my head through the cobwebby little hatch, and flashlighted around. I didn’t go walkabout up there; just stayed on the ladder. But where I thought I’d find only unappealing but potentially useful storage space, I found this: That peak is about nine feet…
“Ayn Rand Made Me a Communist.” Um … you’d probably have to be a regular New Republic reader and already know how Jacob Bacharach is one; he doesn’t actually explain, except in a vague-ish indirect way. It’s still an interesting essay, though. Question not asked: If this homeless guy can do all this, then why is he homeless? Not a bad analysis of how the R-Party is coming apart at the seams. Leaves out factors you and I know well, but seems right in its basics. Georgia state representative commits civil disobedience to get medical marijuana to sick kids. Yeah,…
Cool story from shooting-sports star Vera Koo. I had no idea she was so old or that she learned to shoot only in middle age because she was terrified of guns. Amazing and discouraging that cops continue to get away with being highwaymen despite these tactics being repeatedly exposed. Picked the wrong victim this time, though. (H/T MJR) Why is there no Uber for healthcare? You already know the answer, but this article finally asks some of the obvious questions. Much sweat has been sweated over China’s holdings of U.S. debt. This is the first time I’ve seen anybody get…
Guess what the most popular work at the UN library is. A thesis on how to avoid being charged with war crimes. Not how to avoid committing war crimes. Just how to avoid punishment. (H/T jb) Several major car makers are partnering up with Linux. While this is a lot better than the recent features about those partnering with Microsoft, I generally wish they’d all stay the heck out of any automobile I ever own, except for entirely optional, turn-offable devices. (H/T MJR) Another inspiring story about the life-changing power of going debt free. Who says a porno-graphic can’t be…
No. This is just plain wrong. And the “only ones” are going to commit even more bloody mayhem than they already do with this in their hands. This, on the other hand, is bizaarrish. And their rationale for it (in the video) is laughable. But the innovation is intriguing. According to Wikipedia, it’s been around since 1999 in Russia, but looks as if there might be a serious push for it in the U.S. this year. (H/T MJR) This morning, Obama’s fedgov took its the first step toward its long-dreaded executive action on guns. “Laughable fizzle” is my first response…
The five “best” drug scares of 2015. This year’s weirdest science stories. Fourteen — maybe 15 — ways to avoid the Obamacare tax. (Per A.G. in comments.) Thirteen things credit card companies know about you that might make you cringe. Well, thank heaven it wasn’t “gun violence.” Another Darwin Award nominee, courtesy of absorption in mobile device. How embarrassing to die of pure stupid. But hey — at least it wasn’t “gun violence”! In praise of Glock. Ross Douthat on cracks in the liberal order. Not meaning “liberal” as in that thing that “progressives” don’t want to be called these…
After the glorious comment thread on the original Name that Cottage post, here are the 11 happiest names: Mo Saoirse “My Freedom” in Irish; pronounced mo seer-sha; Suggested by Pat Dripping Cedars Inspired by Kent McManigal’s suggestion, Dripping Leaves Casa Solana (or just Solana) “Sunny spot” or “sun room” in Spanish; From Seibert Shadowleaf Suggested by Vince Hardyvilla Beth’s modification of Chris’ suggestion Peek-a-View Inspired by Lady Locust’s suggestions Chrysalis (or Chrysalis Cottage) Suggested by capn Sunray From A.G. Nestledown A late entry from TJ Madison Adnamira Carraig Cottage Both from my original list. Adnamira means “flowing water” in an…
Although my house has a boring number and that gets packages and plumbers to the door, I want it to have a name. It’s a great old rural custom, even for dwellings that don’t rank up there with Pemberley. You know … “Take the lane past Rose Cottage” “Oh, Miss Smythington? She lives out at Bide-a-Wee.” I’ve been calling it Ye Olde Wreck in my BHM articles, but hopefully that name won’t apply a few years down the road. Something a little more evocative would be nice. I toyed with names last summer but couldn’t settle on anything. So maybe…