I’ve Lost That Christmas Spirit

Or maybe I found it. Most folks probably know I've been out of work for the majority of this year, and that hasn't changed. I had some promising interviews with Large Company that will not be named, but has so far come to nothing, so I'm still looking. Not sure if they're ghosting me, or …

Welcoming the Doldrums

Now that the holidays are over, we coast into the doldrums of January, February, and March, that long stretch with no holidays or long weekends (well, some of you get Presidents Day, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) that feel like they go on for six months, rather than three. Spring break looms for those …

Festival of Carols

The annual tradition of the Festival of Carols begins tomorrow on Portland's classical station, KQAC. They play the most beautiful Christmas music composed through the ages, so many pieces and arrangements that you've likely never heard. It's four days of non-stop glorious music so if, like me, you've had all  you can stand of "Rockin' …

What Would Dickens Say?

The season of commercial excess is upon us, unfettered, in all it's foul glory. Like a juggernaut, the exhortations to 'Buy! Buy! Buy!' come fast and furious now, and no matter how much we may bemoan the crass commercialization of this season, most of us will dutifully heed the call, in some measure. Stores opened …

Happy Holidays!

So, the world didn't end. Darn it. I was hoping to call dibs on my neighbor's 1967 Mustang when all the True Believers ™ were swept up in the Rapture, or whatever was supposed to happen. Oh well. In the meantime since we all have to continue to muddle along, I thought I'd say thanks …

Holiday Greetings

To all my friends and blog visitors around the world, wherever you are: down under in Oz, over in the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, the US, or anyplace else, this is for all of you. Please click on the photo below to see a little 'thank you' to everyone who has visited my blog this year.

An Obol for Charon

(Before anyone freaks out, I'm not planning to stick a gun barrel in my mouth and eat a bullet.) Thanksgiving is officially over. We did the big dinner at my house today due to conflicting work schedules, but at last that little bit of mania is behind me. I find myself wishing that was an …