Monthly Archives: June 2013

Proofreading

“Draft No. 4” by John McPhee, The New Yorker, 4/29/2013 I do not consider myself a writer, despite writing 234,292 words for this blog over the years.  (Uncle Tom’s Cabin has 182,647 words.) But when someone like John McPhee writes … Continue reading

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The Price of Money

You may have missed this photo.  It was on the Internet briefly and then quickly disappeared.  But it should be required viewing for every ambitious girl when she turns twenty. They are on the Riviera. The man is a rich … Continue reading

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Hikikomori

“Last Call” by Larissa MacFarquhar, The New Yorker, June 24, 2013. As a followup to the recent posting on the increasing dominance of women in today’s society (“A Society of Bees,” 6/17 posting), the current issue of The New Yorker … Continue reading

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The Left-Handed Comma

A left-handed comma is casually mentioned without definition in a recent New Yorker article by one of my favorite authors, John McPhee. What could a left-handed comma possibly be?  Is there a right-handed comma?  It took some digging, but there … Continue reading

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A Society of Bees

“This is an era where female performers dominate music as never before,” says the BBC.  “I give you Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga – not to mention poor, sad Britney and the never-ending saga that is Madonna.”  They also … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday Song

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Oops. I better stop there because that song is owned by the giant Warner Music Group and they may charge me a licensing fee if I go any further.  And you probably … Continue reading

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The New Burlesque

“Take It Off” by Joan Acocella.  The New Yorker, May 13, 2013 I have long been nostalgic for the old burle-Q days at Philadelphia’s Troc (see posting of 10/31/2007), even respectfully removing my hat as I pass by the old … Continue reading

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Ocean City, 2013

This is the best boardwalk bench dedication I’ve seen.  Get it?  “O’Sheehan City?”  Very cleaver, Sheehan clan. Be optimistic about shore weather.  Tropical storm Andrea was expected to rain out Thursday when we met, but it stayed inland where we … Continue reading

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Treating Common Health Problems

The UK’s Daily Mail asked physicians how they handled their own common health problems.  Here are some of their comments, not necessarily supported by facts, but in line with their experiences.  Physicians are subject to their own prejudices, just like … Continue reading

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Road Milling

The asphalt street in front of my house was recently resurfaced, and I watched the first step that stripped off the old asphalt by a giant machine with a conveyer belt that recycled the old asphalt onto a truck moving … Continue reading

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