A deep plunge into the Organ Mountains. All my life I have wanted to live near a national park, to be close enough to look at the map and not have to prioritize, to just say, “I am going to walk every inch of every trail, visit in every season, and glimpse every creature.” InContinue reading “Organ Peak Trail”
Author Archives: attractivenuisance1977
The US Capitol riot: shocking event number 11
Looks like I wrote my last article a bit too soon. In listing the most shocking events of my life I missed one: the storming of the US Capitol. “Storm” is not a verb you get to use very often in American political discourse, but there it was. Insurrection is another one we don’tContinue reading “The US Capitol riot: shocking event number 11”
The Ten Biggest, Most Shocking Moments of My Life (Public Edition)
The vaccine is a big moment. If it is true that its methods will make future viruses easier to fight, this global response to Covid is a true moonshot, a massive effort that will change the world. Somehow though, I don’t remember the exact moment when I heard about it. Good news just doesn’t hitContinue reading “The Ten Biggest, Most Shocking Moments of My Life (Public Edition)”
Was the short 2020 season a better prediction of playoff success?
2020 was a strange season of baseball. I was glad we had a season at all, but the short schedule was enough to take me out of it to a large extent. I swear it had nothing to do with the fact that the Nationals played terribly all season. Actually… it was entirely dueContinue reading “Was the short 2020 season a better prediction of playoff success?”
Covid comes to Tatooine
So, this is entirely anecdotal, but it seems to me like it’s getting real with Covid lately. I know it has been intense in many parts of the country over the last six months, but it seems a bit more unavoidable lately. We’ve been treating it as a clear and present danger in NewContinue reading “Covid comes to Tatooine”
Civil War Two?
So I really hate to get political, or rather I hate to give the impression that I may be getting partisan, but I was a little alarmed when I saw Trump’s comments this week on whether he would “commit to a peaceful transfer of power after the election”. I watched it several times toContinue reading “Civil War Two?”
Orlando: a Biography- Virginia Woolf
It occurs to me that it’s a little strange for a man to write about Virginia Woolf in general, and Orlando specifically. Not for any good reason, but it’s an oddity. Why should a book that is a reflection on gender roles and identity be the sole province of women? Well, I picked it upContinue reading “Orlando: a Biography- Virginia Woolf”
The Dalton Highway: Part One
I don’t know what Fairbanks, Alaska is like when there isn’t a pandemic going on, but it didn’t put its best foot forward on my visit. That was disappointing, because at first glance, downtown was promising. The Chena River flows right through with a handful of pedestrian bridges crossing. There are nice little parksContinue reading “The Dalton Highway: Part One”
The Anthropology of War
The Anthropology of War– Keith F. Otterbein While I was studying at George Washington University’s Elliott School, I had a penchant for buying books on military history. I’ve always had a problem with purchasing books and studying a field with so many great books was the perfect excuse. It seemed like I was acquiringContinue reading “The Anthropology of War”
Exploring Kachemak Bay with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies: Part Two
The first several hours of the visit were a hike through the hilly forest all around the research station. The young women who were guiding us knew everything about the plants and animals of the forest. It was great to get the chance to pick their brains. We learned to avoid cow parsnip and devilsContinue reading “Exploring Kachemak Bay with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies: Part Two”
