Monthly Archives: November 2012

The Question Lady

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Question Lady

The Question Lady writes: How do you deal with strangers who overhear the conversation you’re having and comment on it?

Posted in Personal reflections | 10 Comments

Fenster writes what he likes about . . . . . . . Michel Camilo’s From Within. That an essentially acoustic trio can rip the roof off better than 99% of amped-up groups overly reliant on the volume knob. Anthony … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 2 Comments

Question Lady Question

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Question Lady

The Question Lady writes: Do you ever think of yourself in the 3rd person? When and how? (Example: “That’s not the kind of thing Wayne Gretzky would do,” which you would say if you were Wayne Gretzky.)

Posted in Personal reflections | 12 Comments

“The Abyss”

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: “The Abyss” features one of the most striking opening shots in early cinema (it was released in 1910). Taken from the center of a busy urban street, it shows a woman walking away from the camera as … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Performers, Sex | Tagged A Fool There Was, Asta Nielsen, Basic Instinct, Camille Paglia, Denmark, Gustav Klimt, movies, Sharon Stone, Silent Film, The Abyss, Theda Bara, Urban Gad, vamp | 10 Comments

European Polyphony and Low Tech Brain Hacking.

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: As a youngin’ I was first exposed to music theory in high school. I had a great music teacher, one of those rare souls blessed with contagious enthusiasm. I found, to my surprise, that I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 10 Comments

Running out of pronouns

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Fenster

Fenster writes:

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | 9 Comments

Question Lady Question

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Question Lady

The Question Lady writes: How would you describe your memory? Mine is so arbitrary: I can memorize 10,000 words, but can’t remember whether or not I turned off the stove after I leave the house. I have a horrible time … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections | 11 Comments

“Thor”

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Kenneth Branagh has directed “Thor” with the sort of gloppy boyishness that I’ve sometimes enjoyed in his acting. The tone is consistently breathless, jaunty even, and not a frame of it is underworked. I took it as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Anthony Hopkins, Chris Hemsworth, Kenneth Branagh, Marvel Comics, movies, Natalie Portman, Thor, Tom Hiddleston | 8 Comments

Narrative Shmarrative

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Fenster

Fenster writes: The ever-mysterious Question Lady asks how you handle people who disagree with you politically. Fenster wrote in response: I used to engage, and even argue, more than I do now. That is for two reasons. First, I found … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal reflections, Politics and Economics | 11 Comments

Contrasting Musical Cultures: Mali, Gypsy and Americanus Hipsterus

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: I’ve long found myself frustrated by the musical culture I’ve had to live in, and been drawn to other cultures as a kind of refuge. At home sick for a day recently, I watched three documentaries … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 6 Comments