johnfial_qr8lrr Why Does the World Exist? An Existential Detective Story, Jim Holt (2012) “I’d say we’re at least five Einsteins away from answering that question,” “All of the thinkers I had already spoken . . . saw the world under some limited aspect. . . . Each of these ways of seeing the world purported to … Read more
This quick post of pictures is 99% for the search engines. Portland, Oregon’s Salt and Straw ice cream is tasty, with a few classics, varied flavors, and monthly revolving items, like vegan mixes in January or chocolate-based lineup in February. Unfortunately, the company does not post ingredients nor nutrition facts online, and an image search … Read more
Dearest Anonymous Neighbor: Most of us live in this neighborhood for peace, safety, quiet, and the great access to our wonderful Park. It should not surprise you to know that many of us work from home, which, although you likely do not know it, is far more difficult than working outside the home. Working at home … Read more
2,200 words Read time @ 250 words/minute: 9 minutes I wrote this essay because I often wear a rock necklace, and am sometimes asked why I do so. In addition to responding to the general question, the purpose of this essay is to differentiate between blind faith in some mystical “powers” of rocks and crystals, and … Read more
I was fortunate to have grown up on the side of a mountain, and have always loved the sky, no matter whether it brought grey clouds, a bright sunset, or lightning followed by starlight. While at the University of Hawaii I took an introductory astronomy class, and I began to note the night sky even … Read more
Educated: A Memoir Tara Westover (amazon.com link) I believe finally, that education must be conceived as a continuing reconstruction of experience; that the process and the goal of education are one and the same thing. —JOHN DEWEY . . . As I walked home carrying the heavy manuscript, I remembered attending one of Dr. Kerry’s … Read more
Speak: A Simple Guide to Public Speaking Steve Alexander Jr. (amazon.com link) Notes: SPEAK: Structure, Presence, Engage, Articulate, Knowledge Structure Outline your speech keeping AIDA in mind Attention – story, quote, your own qualifications, statistics, strong emotions (why you care yourself) Interest – keep them interested, review what you’ll cover Desire – connect … Read more
The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need Daniel H. Pink, Art by Rob Ten Pas (amazon.com link) Read in 2014 and reviewed/reread 2018. Fun cartoon-animated career and life-lesson guidebook. In the grand scheme of things, a more general life book would be Zen in the Art of Archery or … Read more
Pachinko, Min Jin Lee, 2017 (read 2018, amazon.com link) Book club. I do not care for historical fiction. Fun, but between a half and three-fourths way through, my patience started to wane, and I started to look forward to finishing the book. I respect Lee trying to describe the lives and changes over many … Read more
Anthem Ayn Rand, 1938 (amazon.com link) The book opens with each “individual” referring to him/herself as “we,” and the direction of Rand’s use of language becomes clear rather quickly. It makes for a pointed conclusion, highlighted in the third and fourth quotes below: “We love you.” But then they frowned and shook their head and … Read more