Monthly Archives: September 2007

COWBELLS AND TRUCKS.

Posted on September 16, 2007 by Philip

COWBELLS AND TRUCKS. Kids, here comes another “back in the day” post. Over forty years ago, I was playing tennis on courts south of the Charles River in Cambridge. I heard an impressive crash and after the tennis I saw … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

SHAKESPEARE WAS A BLACK SWAN (COMMENT).

Posted on September 16, 2007 by Philip

SHAKESPEARE WAS A BLACK SWAN (COMMENT). Nick commented on the suggestion by Derek Jacobi (that Shakespeare’s work was probably written by a committee) that people have trouble accepting that there can be somebody who is four or five standard deviations … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Literature, Shakespeare | 7 Comments

THE LAURENTIAN LIBRARY.

Posted on September 15, 2007 by Philip

THE LAURENTIAN LIBRARY. The comments to the link to beautiful libraries nominated for inclusion the Laurentian Library in Florence, which was designed by Michelangelo. These photos do not fully convey the powerful effect of the library. Notice in particular the … Continue reading →

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BEAUTIFUL LIBRARIES.

Posted on September 15, 2007 by Philip

BEAUTIFUL LIBRARIES. Books do furnish a room. That is the title of an Anthony Powell novel. Lee Bryant sent me this link, which has pictures of many of the world’s most beautiful libraries. I had a momentary second thought about … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | 1 Comment

BIRTHDAY POEM.

Posted on September 14, 2007 by Philip

BIRTHDAY POEM. A Lady who Thinks She Is Thirty by Ogden Nash Unwillingly Miranda wakes, Feels the sun with terror, One unwilling step she takes, Shuddering to the mirror. Miranda in Miranda’s sight Is old and gray and dirty; Twenty-nine … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 1 Comment

FORMULA ONE SHENANIGANS AND NFL SHENANIGANS.

Posted on September 13, 2007 by Philip

FORMULA ONE SHENANIGANS AND NFL SHENANIGANS. The National Football League Commisioner is reported by ESPN to be considering penalties on the New England Patriots for using TV cameras to steal defensive signals of opponents. The Yahoo! Sports article says, “According … Continue reading →

Posted in Football, Sports | 1 Comment

THE UPPER PENINSULA WAR.

Posted on September 13, 2007 by Philip

THE UPPER PENINSULA WAR. I have wanted to post on The Upper Peninsula war (1843-1844, also known as the Canadian-Michigan War) for some time, but the link to the Wikipedia article has been down. I hope this link works.

Posted in History, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

THE WISDOM THAT CONTESTED CONVENTIONS ARE BAD.

Posted on September 13, 2007 by Philip

THE WISDOM THAT CONTESTED CONVENTIONS ARE BAD. I have argued that a contested convention could help a political party. Here is the opposite view in an article (link via realclearpolitics ) which reflects the assumption among the politically savvy that … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

“MICROACCENTS” IN FRANCE.

Posted on September 12, 2007 by Philip

“MICROACCENTS” IN FRANCE. I posted recently about “microaccents.” I tend to think of France as one of the first nation states and therefore one that has been highly centralized for a long time. I shouldn’t. Fernand Braudel wrote in THE … Continue reading →

Posted in History | 6 Comments

POURING HONEY INTO A FINE SWISS WATCH (COMMENT).

Posted on September 11, 2007 by Philip

POURING HONEY INTO A FINE SWISS WATCH (COMMENT). Lee Bryant in his comment recalls an unfortunate event from my past. Years ago, I saw Kurt Vonnegut’s play, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WANDA JUNE. If you like Vonnegut’s novels and short stories, see … Continue reading →

Posted in Theater | Leave a comment