One Fine Jay

Reading tea leaves

Cultural commentators who warn against the most inocuous messages of “deviant” behavior in pop culture need to remember that parents themselves are not idiots and have the wealth of their experience to guide them. Reading too deeply into things can bring about the wildest of conclusions; the warning against which can be more harmful than… Continue reading this entry

When aesthetes attack

This Washington Post article about a top secret Navy facility in the middle of a park in Washinton, D.C. is quite a good example of how the press, in its insatiable thirst for their deification, engages in irresponsible reporting of facts that are not covered by secrecy. That they, unable to get what they wanted… Continue reading this entry

Maternal strength

A photo of my mother, in a not so flattering situation. Taken on an afternoon spent clearing the yard of excess wood from deck work. Licensing for use in Communist propaganda is not being offered.

Making peace with myself

When a story usually starts with “if you only knew,” usually there are just so many details that couldn’t be divulged in the public sphere that the story itself lacks substance. So, if you all only knew, I used to hate the Christmas season. Well, that was after I liked it. Earlier tonight, I joined… Continue reading this entry

Hands: Sisyphus

Sisyphus is a college student who also works. His tasks never end, thus the monicker.

Accolades 2004

Much has happened in the year since I issued my first Thanksgiving Accolades post. There are people on that list with who I have lost contact with; I am still thankful for them. This year, a few newcomers on my “thank you” list. A thank you to the ones whose blogs I have designed in… Continue reading this entry

Food snobs and the turkeys that they are

From Andy, a CNN article about “heritage turkeys” and how “consumers with discerning palates” think they taste better than “modern, mass-produced turkeys found in supermarkets.” Articles like this simultaneously amuse and annoy me. I’ve been watching cooking TV since I could remember and many of these top chefs and food celebrities can be quite snobby… Continue reading this entry

Open wide

My visit to the dentist today was the first in a series where all four of my wisdom teeth, and another molar that could not be saved, are to be extracted. I’ve come to realize that wanting to rather have one’s teeth pulled, these days at least, isn’t as bad as it used to be.… Continue reading this entry

Grrr!

I don’t like snobs. Whether it’s in the arts or in general pop culture, snooty types remind me of the time when I was one of them, and I was no fan of myself when I was in a prep cult. Waiter Rant has a wonderful account of what happens in Any Restaurant, in AnyTown,… Continue reading this entry