Monthly Archives: August 2021

Nothing Left But The Think Pieces

Posted on August 19, 2021 by nathanalbright

It would be hypocritical in the extreme for someone who writes as many think pieces of one kind or another to be hostile to them as a whole. Nonetheless, there is something immensely dispiriting about the thought of the sort … Continue reading →

Posted in International Relations, Musings | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Album Review: High Civilization

Posted on August 19, 2021 by nathanalbright

High Civilization, by the Bee Gees It is strange that it took me this long to discover the greatness of the album High Civilization. To be sure, this album’s greatness is not obvious nor has it ever been particularly popular, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Music History | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Short Library Book Reviews: Part Four

Posted on August 18, 2021 by nathanalbright

How To Take Great Vacation Photographs, by John Hedgecoe This book is precisely the sort of book one would expect it to be. Most of the book consists of the author showing off his photography technique and giving some advice … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Par Avion

Posted on August 17, 2021 by nathanalbright

I was not alive to witness the shame of the evacuation of Americans and Vietnamese from Saigon in April 1975 when South Vietnam fell to an invasion from North Vietnam and was unable (and perhaps its corrupted elites were unwilling) … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, History, Military History, Musings | Tagged | 4 Comments

Short Library Book Reviews: Part Three

Posted on August 16, 2021 by nathanalbright

Medieval Lego, by Greyson Beights This is the kind of book that someone might judge as being suitable only for ridicule and amusement but that would be an injustice. This book deserves some serious respect on at least two grounds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, History | 4 Comments

A Man In Search Of His Lost Ferret

Posted on August 15, 2021 by nathanalbright

Yesterday at church I had one of those occasional odd but memorable experiences with someone that happens from time to time in the Portland area and (truth be told) outside of it as well. As a writer, one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Church of God, Musings | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Not Your Ally, Not Your Buddy

Posted on August 15, 2021 by nathanalbright

[Note: This is the prepared text for a split sermon given to the Portland congregation of the United Church of God on August 14, 2021.] When I previously spoke about those who were blessed enough to be called friends of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Biblical History, Christianity, Church of God, History, Sermonettes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Short Library Book Reviews: Part Two

Posted on August 14, 2021 by nathanalbright

Tea Bliss: Infuse Your Life With Health, Wisdom, And Contentment, by Theresa Cheung It is easy enough to understand why this book was written. There is no shortage of books I have read and reviewed that, like this one, show … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | 4 Comments

Notes From A Skirmish In Aloha

Posted on August 13, 2021 by nathanalbright

By the time I opened the door for myself and three somewhat elderly patrons of a local dining establishment not far from where I live, the combatants and would-be peacemakers of a bloody skirmish that had taken place outside were … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged | 2 Comments

On The External Conditions Of Creativity

Posted on August 11, 2021 by nathanalbright

I spend a fair amount of time thinking about the context of writing and creativity in general. As someone who is relatively creative in my approach, and with a strong personal voice, I try to understand why it is I … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, On Creativity | Tagged , | 2 Comments