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Author Archives: John Swinburn
A Sad Day
Today is a sad day for the United States of America. After eight years of a President who is arguably the most poised, dignified, decent, and respectful person to have ever held the office, the position will be assumed by … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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Lambs and Slaughter
Where did we go wrong? How did a nation dedicated to justice and freedom, a nation ostensibly predicated on the assertion that all men are created equal, come to this? How can it be that, on January 20, 2017, Donald … Continue reading
A Community
Last night was the second HSV Open Mic Night I’ve organized. I thought the first one, on October 10 last year, was successful. But, then, I didn’t quite know how to define success; it was, after all, the first such … Continue reading
Posted in Music
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Feasting with Friends
My failure to photographically record yesterday’s food frenzy is unfathomable. How could I, after spending the better part of two days preparing an extraordinary feast, forget to take pictures of the final product? I cannot explain. I cannot justify my oversight. … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Friendship
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Control
I find it helpful, on occasion, to gently remind myself of the many things over which I have control. The results of that tender reminder are two-fold: 1) I expose my negativity as an obstacle to happiness; and 2) my outlook on the … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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On Racism: I Will Miss the Obamas
A white person—especially a white man—in the United States today, try as he may, is unlikely to be capable of eliminating racism from his thought processes. Our history and the institutional racism upon which this country was built and on … Continue reading
Posted in Civility, Philosophy, Racism
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Fog and Mist: People and Countries Get Sick and Die
I learned recently that two friends had heart attacks a few nights ago. They inhabit opposite ends of the political spectrum, so I can’t blame fear of the nightmare that is about to befall the United States (and the world) for their personal catastrophes. … Continue reading
Posted in Depression, Politics
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Standish
Standish Cole, watching the morning sky as pale light blotted the horizon, hoped for signs of warmth and a day dry enough to take his tractor into the fields. If he couldn’t get into the fields today, the crops would be lost. … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Writing Out of Fear
My limited writing of late skirts the edges of frivolity from time to time, then rushes headlong into its muck. Poor writing, they say, is better than none at all. My writing in recent weeks fits the bill of better than … Continue reading
Posted in Anger, Fear, Government, Politics
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Adrift in an Ocean of Hard Air
“I think I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so…” Those words are from the lyrics of a 1980 tune called Turning Japanese, by the Vapors. From the moment I heard that tune, as nonsensical as … Continue reading
Posted in Just Thinking
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Sleeping with a Caffeine Buzz and Awakening to Brilliance
I’ve taken to drinking coffee in the evenings in recent days, something I’ve scrupulously avoided in the past for fear of caffeine-induced insomnia. I cannot honestly say whether the coffee is having any effect on my sleep patterns. Even before … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Evidence of the Endeavor
Today is Day Eight of my effort to lose massive amounts of weight over the long haul. In my defense, I introduce into evidence two photographs, taken today, illustrating the outcome of my effort…not lost weight, but the WAY to … Continue reading
Posted in Food
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Taking Shortcuts to Mediocrity
Last night, I adapted a tried-and-true (if overly simple and insufficiently spicy) recipe for Shrimp Fra Diavolo. I adapted the recipe in several ways, the two most obvious deviations being the substitution of cod for shrimp and cauliflower for rice. … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Creativity, Food, Philosophy
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Justification
We think the world owes us an explanation. It doesn’t. We owe it one. We owe the universe substantive justification for why we should be allowed to remain here; an argument validating our existence. If there’s purpose, it is not some external “thing.” Purpose … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
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Minimal
For years, I’ve been drawn to the concept of a minimalist lifestyle. Several years ago, I stumbled across an online video created by a young guy who designed and built tiny houses and who had created an online video series … Continue reading
Posted in Greed, Happiness, Materialism, Philosophy, Self-discipline
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New and Regained, 7 and Done
One week ago, I declared that I intended to document on this blog each day one new thing I learned or something that I had once known but recently recalled or re-learned. It seemed like a good idea at the … Continue reading
Posted in New and Regained Knowledge
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Observations on Animal Instinct
Despite its many bungling attempts to protect us (e.g., the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends an absolutely natural response if one confronts an active shooter or other such attack on one’s person (i.e., … Continue reading
Posted in Fear, Frustration, Philosophy
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New and Regained, 6
Today’s regained knowledge involves the power of cold temperatures. I remember, from several winters ago, the capacity weather possesses to disrupt our ability to travel. Even with a light dusting of snow—and the effect of that snow thawing under car … Continue reading
Posted in New and Regained Knowledge
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Satisfying Hunger with Paint
I am posting here several photos, some of which already found their way online via Facebook, that illustrate how I satisfy my hungers by painting with food. Let me explain. Later. Look at the images and read the captions, as … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Food
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Morning Morsels: Salmon, Avocado, and Condiments
2.24 ounces broiled Sockeye salmon (108 calories) 1/2 avocado (116 calories) [the Tajín sprinkled on top is a gimme] 2 radishes (4 calories) 2 cherry tomatoes (6 calories) Grand Total: 272 calories (compared to earlier this week, a MONSTROUS increase … Continue reading
Controlled Food Lust
I wrote not long ago that I might start a food blog. At this moment, I doubt I will. But I may assemble all of my food posts from years past into a resource from which I write a longer … Continue reading
Posted in Food
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New and Regained, 5
Snippets about Iceland. I did not know: Iceland lays claim to the world’s oldest legislative assembly, the Alþingi (anglicized as Althingi), which was established in the year 930. The Icelandic National Parliament (Alþingi Íslendinga) is a unicameral body currently representing seven distinct … Continue reading
Posted in New and Regained Knowledge
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Forgetting
Long swaths of my life have gone missing, experiences unremembered in my rush to attend to the next exuberant undertaking that will join the other forgotten ones in the chase toward the unwanted end. Do we all fail to give sufficient attention … Continue reading
Posted in Poetry
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New and Regained, 4
Andrés Segovia, the renowned Spanish classical guitarist, made his first tour of the United States in 1928. When I watched and listened to him play many years later, I did not know anything of his first tour of the U.S. so … Continue reading
Posted in New and Regained Knowledge
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New and Regained, 3
I know a little about cheese, as in I know what I like, but I’ve learned my knowledge of cheese is superficial in the extreme. I can name several cheeses off the top of my head: cheddar, Swiss, emmental, gruyere, … Continue reading
Posted in New and Regained Knowledge
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