Nearly 50 years ago, the Arizona administration requested my compliance in attending a one-afternoon desert orientation course. The university insisted on this because I was from the Northeast. A tenderfoot. Continue reading Cairns
Category Archives: Tales Out of School
Blind and Toothless
Had those students who established opposing enclaves on college campus in the aftermath of Hamas’ murder, rape, kidnapping spree of October 7th, 2023, somehow had it in their minds they would recreate and update the 1960s and 70s Days of Rage?
Having learned the lesson of history, did they do so having misunderstood it? Continue reading Blind and Toothless
This Deranged Freight Train Has no Brakes
If you’re like me, you too must’ve been astounded at events that occurred on the morning of October 7th, 2023.
Before authorities became censorious and excised, pixelated, or froze graphic videos, security camera raw feeds from Israel were the 21st century versions of what we may imagine warfare was like during the antique. No quarter given. Wanton slaughter delivered as cruelly as possible. Continue reading This Deranged Freight Train Has no Brakes
Stop Your Sobbing
Anyone who’s articulate, can hold his or hers debating knew right off the bat once American society succumbed to political correctness, going way overboard by making “trigger words” valid knew our nation would plunge into a semantic sump. Continue reading Stop Your Sobbing
Sweet Green Hours
Read a conceit on social media that intrigued me. It asked readers to remember the last time they got together with all or most of the youthful friends who created their closest, steadiest, most dependable adolescent playmates.
For me, it’s a good presumption these curtains came down at the ends of summers. Just before Labor Day Weekend. Continue reading Sweet Green Hours
Our Past Remains Present
It heartens hearing Barack and Michelle Obama chide black men into voting for Kamala Harris. Such eminences might be enough to prod them to do what’s necessary for America and right for themselves. How many years ago because of the figures involved neither of those sentences would’ve have been written nor even contemplated? Continue reading Our Past Remains Present
Six Months Later
Seems too many Westerners have developed the same sort of selective memory about why the Israelis are pummeling Gaza as Japanese have about Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Okay. Not selective memory. Convenient amnesia. Continue reading Six Months Later
Marathon 65
Sometimes through life this runner stumbled. While there was never any first place, crossing the line signifying 65 eventually became a major goal.
On some plane, I should grumble about not living in opulence and swaddled by elegance. People who do are part of my circle. Cosseted as such, some still haven’t found satisfaction. Deep or otherwise. Indeed, you can have plentitude and realize it means little.
In lieu of close family, I’m lucky to have a network of trustworthy and understanding contemporaries. Can’t buy those. Continue reading Marathon 65
Jittery Landscape
Today’s collegiate sports scene could teach the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL about pursuing dollars.
Whereas the pros are geared laser sharp towards reaping profits – after all, their athletic endeavors are businesses – the revenue generating college games have become rabid. Any more so and they’d be foaming at the mouths. Continue reading Jittery Landscape
Bad Vegas
That time of year again. The season where convention and tradition insist we evaluate how good our lives have been despite setbacks and denials.
What’s particularly irksome is hearing all those sanctified savants who’ve proclaimed they’re “blessed.” As if leading patently unfulfilled or marginal lives is a wonderful condition, one that beats the alternative.
As the ancients knew, and modern mankind has forgotten believing technology has insulated us, there are fates worse than death. Continue reading Bad Vegas