I have been reading a work called From Bible Belt to Sun Belt by Darren Dochuk about how settlement from the western South [Texas and bordering states] in the 1930s and 40s reshaped California evangelicalism and culture. It inspired me to give my […]
Miscellaneous
Devil’s Punchbowl to Salvation Mountain, Part 3
After two nights we left the Abbey, but started out originally in what might appear to be the “wrong” direction, because we were headed up to Devil’s Punchbowl, a bowl of spectacular pink rocks wedged against the very foot of […]
San Miguel to Valyermo, Part 2
So we left San Miguel, initially on the same road that we had entered the town on, but then taking a different road toward Parkfield. The road ascended up a canyon that looked like the one we had descended, came […]
San Francisco to San Miguel, Part I
In the month of September, 2010, I had the privilege of going with some friends on a road trip the length of the San Andreas Fault, from San Francisco to the Salton Sea. September is not the most aesthetically beautiful […]
Spinning the War of 1812
Canadian Blitzkrieg captures Detroit and Chicago! Toronto and Buffalo left in ruins! British intervene on Canadian side and capture Washington D.C.! Sounds like some kind of a fantasy novel, doesn’t it! Well, it actually happened. It was the War of […]
Identification Cards Required to Leave the State
Some rather interesting requirements imposed for flying. It declares, “If you plan to fly out of the state, federal regulations mandate that all adult passengers (ages 18+) must provide a valid state or federal photo ID that includes the passenger’s […]
If a picture beats a thousand words…
If a picture beats a thousand words, how come so many art commenters can get two thousand words out of every picture?
The Changing Meanings of the Word ‘Passion’
The word ‘passion’ has gone through some fascinating gyrations in its meaning, at least in English. First, it is clearly related to the word ‘passive,’ which is the opposite of ‘active.’ And it originally refers to someone who receives action […]
Today’s Educational Paradigm
I might take some of what is said with a grain of salt, but this cartoon video explains issues about education – the number one interest of conservative philanthropists – with a clarity I have never seen before.
Somebody Must Like Irvine
Jerry Sullivan in Irvine, By Design points out that Irvine is not that different from what the hipster gentrifiers of places like Echo Park would do if they had full control! I need to correct an error. Don Bren does […]