The Art of Power
I note three things distinctive about the writing style of Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Buddhist monk and founder of the Order of Interbeing): The f
Featured Posts
The Nipple Revisited
Posted on March 10, 2010 by David Barker
Tomorrow, I will be posting an eChapbook, a long short story titled Security. Breasts figure prominently in my story, or - not to make too fine a point of it - nipples. This isn't the first time I've given serious attention to nipples. More than a year ago, in a post titled "The Nipple Expose
Attachment And Truth
Posted on March 9, 2010 by David Barker
Here is a story which Thich Nhat Hanh recounts in his book, The Art of Power: The Buddha told the story of a merchant, a widower, who went away on a business trip and left his little boy at home. While he was away, bandits came and burned down the whole village. When the merchant returned, he d
Dissing the Oscars – Wrap Up
Posted on March 8, 2010 by David Barker
I feel so dirty, like I've been watching porn against my will. Now it's time to step into the shower and wash away that disgusting feeling that comes from watching a multi-billion dollar industry laud itself on making record profits during the most significant economic recession since Academy Awar
Dissing the Oscars – Avatar & District 9
In my continuing quest for negative reviews of 2010 Best Picture Academy Award nominees, I turn now to the science fiction nominees. First up is Jam
What Is America, by Ronald Wright
In the forward to What Is America? A Short History of the New World Order, Ronald Wright points out that his book arises from the final chapter of an
Dissing the Oscars – Up In The Air
This is the second in a series that looks at reviewers who diss the Best Picture Oscar contenders. While Jason Reitman's Up In The Air, starring Geo
Off The Path With Michael
God was simple to exorcise. Charity and pathos are not so easy. -- ryan kamSTra (from iNTO tHE dROwNED wORL_D) I'm meeting a friend for lunch.
Olympic Spirit
This is a follow-up to Monday's post which asks questions about the legitimacy of the Olympics. One of the concerns I raised there was censorship, f
Dissing the Oscars – Precious
With the approach of the Academy Awards ceremony on March 7th, I've decided to take a look at films nominated in the Best Picture category. Watching
Vancouver McDonald’s Olympics 2010
On Friday February 12th, 2010, the Vancouver Winter Olympics officially began. While half the sentient universe was watching the opening ceremonies
Mindfulness Redux
For a year now, I have been practising Mindfulness meditation, revisiting something I had first encountered (and blogged about) more than five years a
Soviet Kitsch – an aesthetic of shit
I had never heard of Regina Spektor until my daughter asked me to drive her (my daughter, not Regina) downtown to a concert on Queen's Quay. I asked
Ninety Pounds Of Piss And Vinegar
When Lois Wilson submitted a request to transfer her church membership, board members of the receiving church asked the minister: "Who is Lois Wilso
Pine House Farm
John Williams, my brother-in-law, is an organic farmer operating as Pine House Farms in Wyebridge about an hour and half north of Toronto. Most of t
Loading...
