Monthly Archives: November 2012

Montaigne: Patron Saint of UR, Godfather of Blogging

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As these two posts alluded to, I just finished reading Sarah Bakewell’s excellent biography of the French writer Michel de Montaigne.

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Education, Philosophy and Religion, The Good Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Life Without Principle”

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Johnnie To’s latest, entitled “Life Without Principle,” combines the financial-and-business-sector setting of his last film, the romantic comedy “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” with his customary gangster milieu. It’s organized around the Greek debt crisis, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

This Might Be the Worst Thing I’ve Ever Read

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Sometimes, you come across something so jaw-droppingly bad that the ridiculous awfulness must be shared. This is the first page of The Adventures of Lucky Pierre by Robert Coover: Me, if I continue any further. BTW, the author … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Education | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

Question Lady Question

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Question Lady

Do you think ambiguity has been destroyed by emoticons?

Posted in Personal reflections | 4 Comments

Girliness, Alive and Well on the Internet

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: The culture doesn’t provide for much in the way of girliness these days. Have you noticed? I guess I should define what I mean by girliness, but I’m not sure I can whittle it down to … Continue reading →

Posted in Performers, Personal reflections, Sex, Women men and fashion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Fact Du Jour

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: “Between 1950 and 1953, New York City spent $143 million on schools, $4 million on libraries, $70 million on hospitals, and $172 million on highways … Other cities went further.” I found the quote in this new book.

Posted in Architecture, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

LACMA: Stanley Kubrick

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: This past weekend your friend and humble narrator (sorry) took in the new grand deluxe Stanley Kubrick retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Posted in Art, Movies, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

DVD Review: “The Departed”

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: I sat all the way through Martin Scorsese’s 2006 movie even though I never felt more than half-involved with it. It’s a remake of the Hong Kong thriller “Infernal Affairs,” and it’s in Scorsese’s exuberant, burning-in-hell, “Goodfellas” … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Movies | Tagged , | 8 Comments

LACMA: Art of the Pacific

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I love indigenous/primitive art. These are from LACMA’s “Art of the Pacific” collection. I’ll let you write your own caption for this image.

Posted in Art, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

More Evidence Montaigne Would Fit In Here

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “Of all famous warriors, Montaigne most admired the Theban general Epaminondas, who was known for his ability to keep furor in check: once, in mid-battle and ‘terrible with blood and iron,’ Epaminondas found himself face to face with … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Philosophy and Religion | Tagged , | 2 Comments