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Author Archives: Jeff
COVID-19: Lament and Anger
Up until recently, the only serious COVID-19 cases I knew of were friends’ relatives I had never met. That changed about a week ago. Last year a good friend, in fact our emergency contact here in Austin, took a bad … Continue reading
In It for the Long Haul
When COVID-19 first reached Austin, TX and we were asked to wear masks, most of what I saw was disposable masks. Now most places I go require masks and most of them are washable cloth masks. People expect to be … Continue reading
King of West Campus
Austin is full of ideas, music, creatives, and food trucks. There are various ethnicities (e.g. tacos, Venezuelan, Jamaican), hybrids (Korean-Mexican), and none of the above. JP’s Pancake Company is one of the latter. Or maybe one of the hybrids, his … Continue reading
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John McPhee on Writing and the Relationship Between Artistic Originality and Self-Doubt
Impostor Syndrome is an occupational hazard of any creative endeavor. John McPhee’s discussion of the problem and its solution (taken from his book Draft No. 4) on Brain Pickings both nailed the problem and its solution. Read it and bookmark … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Spirtual Practice, Writing
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One Kind Favor
This song was written and recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson with just him and his guitar in the late 1920s. It has been covered numerous times. The original arrangement doesn’t do full justice to the creepiness of the lyrics. Jerry … Continue reading
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For What It’s Worth
The 1967 Buffalo Springfield song “Buffalo Springfield” has remained relevant, even prescient for over 40 years. The Del McCoury Band and friends recorded their own version in 2017. The lead singer, Jason Carter, has an amazing voice with a distinct … Continue reading
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One Fine Day
“I complete my tasks, one by one. I remove my masks, when I am done..” David Byrne and Brian Eno One Fine Day: David Byrne Performs His Hymn of Optimism and Countercultural Anthem of Resistance and Resilience with the Brooklyn … Continue reading
Posted in COVID-19, Social Justice, Spirtual Practice, Writing
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Beauty in the Storm
David Brooks preached a sermon in the National Cathedral on July 4, 2020. It is the most powerful sermon I’ve heard in a long time. It’s unswervingly Jesus’ message from the standpoint of the reality on the ground for the … Continue reading
Posted in COVID-19, Social Justice, Spirtual Practice
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Uncertainty Prayer
Two weeks ago, I was tested for the SARS-CoV2 virus. The test came back positive with the caveat that they were seeing 10% false positives. I had no symptoms at the time. Now, 15 days after the initial test, I … Continue reading
Posted in COVID-19
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