Category Archives: Psychology and perception

Mary Trump’s Reckoning

The title of the book is The Reckoning: Our Nation’s Trauma and Finding a Way to Heal. It’s to be understood as a reckoning for America, but perhaps also a personal one for the author. After watching the Royal Funeral … Continue reading

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Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes

Do you compartmentalize? I ask because it’s common, a given in a modern life. Whether we’re speaking of the things we do for work-life balance, as part of an artistic discipline or simply to get through a busy day, it’s … Continue reading

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Sarah Polley & Terry Gilliam, The Torturer’s Apprentice

Violence is everywhere these days. Excuse me for stating the obvious. I’ve recently seen an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus that plays with our imaginations, encouraging us to feel for the people getting hurt in the play. Sometimes it’s much … Continue reading

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Rebuilding Janise: Andrew Smith’s labour of love

The cover picture is a disturbing metaphor for its subject. In 1992 Andrew and Janise were married. This poem “What Once Was”, is by Andrew Smith, posted in July 2022 on Facebook. what once was; is so long ago.two fools, … Continue reading

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No words

I need to properly acknowledge a beautiful moment in my life, even as I struggle to find the words. As I glance at the time, I immediately think about Sam’s schedule. At 5:28 my viscera know automatically whether she should … Continue reading

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Toddler masterclass with Brian Cox

I’ve just finished reading Brian Cox’s delightful memoir, subtitled Putting the Rabbit in the Hat. Cox is an actor currently famous for his role as the powerful father Logan Roy, in the tv series Succession, although you might know him … Continue reading

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2021 False starts and #BellLetsTalk

That may be the goofiest headline I’ve ever written. I waited to post my review of 2021 until today for a couple of reasons, although the main one is simple. 2021 was not a normal year, not one where I … Continue reading

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Being There revisited, with a little help from Mahler

I could use any old film I watched on television for the point I’m about to make. Last night Erika and I watched Being There (1979). Hal Ashby’s film is based on a best-selling novel from 1970 by Jerzy Kosiński … Continue reading

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Untangled by Lisa Damour

One of the pleasures or perils of reading multiple books at the same time is how suddenly one captures your attention, shutting everything & everyone out in the process. It can be fun to disappear down a rabbit hole with … Continue reading

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Melisande and Sam

The picture is a bit of whimsy, Sam seeming to float with the flower. If you don’t have your glasses on (hello! That was how I took the photo), the alignment of dog + flower is much easier to do, … Continue reading

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