I’m writing from Chicago, where the BlogHer conference I’m attending will start tomorrow. My run on the lakeshore last night took me to Millenium Park, where I had another of my little ecstatic, falling-in-love experiences, between the gardens, the symphony orchestra playing in the outdoor pavilion, and most of all, the unique fountain and wading [...]
Entries Tagged as 'culture'
Chicago’s Vulnerability
July 23rd, 2009 · 5 Comments · community, energy, entertainment, food & drink, home & garden, lifestyle, money, sustainability, transportation
Tags: Bill McKibben·BlogHer conference·carbon footprint·Chicago·chickens·climate change·culture·Deep Economy·Detroit·fun·global warming·happiness·Millenium Park·papalars·urban farming
One Portlander’s View of Michael Jackson
June 26th, 2009 · 1 Comment · entertainment
Brief post today — My first thought when I learned of the death of Michael Jackson was: I hope he finds more peace now than he did in his troubled earth-walk. My second, actually ongoing thought as his life and death fills the airwaves and the front page of the New York Times is: wouldn’t [...]
Tags: celebrity·culture·life·Michael Jackson·New York Times·Portland
Mixed Feelings On Memorial Day
May 25th, 2009 · No Comments · sustainability
This piece of mine was first published by the Philadelphia Inquirer on Memorial Day, 2003.
I have some mixed feelings about Memorial Day.
On one hand, I deeply respect people – in this case, soldiers and veterans – who work and struggle for causes larger than themselves, and are willing to die for their cause. [...]
Tags: BL1961·culture·life·Memorial Day·patriotism·war·witches
Being Happy Despite The Recession
May 22nd, 2009 · No Comments · health & well being, lifestyle, money, work
We have the power to be happy despite the recession we’re in, regardless of our nation’s economic troubles. Who says? Daniel Gilbert, an expert on happiness, in this article.
Research shows that it is uncertainty and anxiety about the future, not loss of assets per se, is what brings human happiness down the most. So, if [...]
When More Is Actually Better
May 12th, 2009 · 1 Comment · health & well being, lifestyle, sustainability
A cool thing about vanpooling is getting to read things I’d never have the time to read otherwise.My latest favorite read is a Newsweek article about compassionate behavior.
The big research finding is that emotionally secure people who feel safe in the world are more likely to help others and be kind to them. [...]
Tags: consumption·culture·life·relationships