Essays
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Page 35
Thoughts on patriotism in the wake of the Paris attacks
National pride is not the enemy of world unity.
Essays
5 minute read
Are we living in a 'Handmaid's Tale' world?
Why get distracted by a fictional future?
Accusing conservative pundits of lusting after Atwood’s misogynistic dystopia makes the risky realities of contemporary American women’s lives less potent.
Essays
5 minute read
On taking up guitar as an adult
Missed notes
Playing music in middle age isn’t an impulse to risk your life. It’s a chance to show your soul.
Essays
6 minute read
Does sexy have an expiration date?
I will, on occasion, pull together an outfit purely for the fun of pleasing myself aesthetically, but when I'm dressed that way, I don't assume anyone is deciding whether I'm “toothsome” or not — I figure that, at nearly 50, I'm pretty much invisible, and at this point I don't care if people are assessing me or not.
Essays
4 minute read
A troubled student on the day of the Sandy Hook massacre
December 14th
Each day a teacher stands in front of another fragile soul, not ignoring behaviors and signs, but often helpless to do anything. We want to support the student and help him or her reach an educated, productive adulthood; we also know that weird is often not wrong, especially in the arts. Would any of us really want to see our 20-year-old selves categorized and judged, again, especially in the arts?
Essays
4 minute read
Pope Francis's visit to Philadelphia
I fled the pope and I liked it
When the great Papal Visit of 2015 drew perhaps a tenth of the crowds predicted and local businesses became victims of the hype, now we must decide whose fault it all is.
Essays
5 minute read
The many kinds of success of Venus and Serena Williams
Raising champions
That Serena and Venus are excellent, well-adjusted, and curious about things outside their area of expertise is phenomenal. That they are best friends on top of that is even more amazing; the investment Oracene Price and Richard Williams made in their children has paid many important dividends.
Essays
5 minute read
'The Princess Bride': An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes
Sometimes “as you wish” isn’t
I planned to ask Cary Elwes a question at his recent appearance at the Keswick, but the moment the house lights went up and I readied myself to get in line, my brain emptied out. Being in the same room as an artist you’ve loved so much, for so long, can be overwhelming.
Essays
5 minute read
Musicians vs. writers
You thought writers were obsessed with their craft? They’ve got nothing on professional musicians.
Essays
5 minute read
Philadelphia Dîner en Blanc 2015
Dinin’ in the rain and lovin’ it
What makes Dîner en Blanc so enticing? Is it the exclusivity? Or the inclusiveness? There’s something about being part of a global phenomenon that I just can’t resist. Even if it did rain on my parade this year.
Essays
4 minute read