milesaway44105

All American Girl

Congratulations Gabby Douglas for winning an individual gold medal in the all-around gymnastics final!

Here’s to the “Fierce Five”

Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team for winning gold!!!

Models Monday: Community Property or On Sharing

So if you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I have a three-year-old son. What you may not know is that I didn’t grow-up with siblings and so having my son has been the first time that I’ve had any sustained time with children. My experience of sending my son to whatContinue reading “Models Monday: Community Property or On Sharing”

Worthwhile Viewing: Chops

I don’t know what I was doing in 2007 but I must have been wasting time because seeing this film, Chops, today put whatever those tasks were to SHAME. I highly recommend setting aside 1:26:55 for viewing Chops in its entirety and at least 30 minutes for running the film back so that you canContinue reading “Worthwhile Viewing: Chops”

The Verdict on Penn State

I must admit, I expected that the N.C.A.A. would give Penn State’s football program the “death penalty” and thus completely shut it down. While that was not the verdict, the punishment they meted out–the $60 million fine, the four-year bowl ban, the initial scholarships being reduced from 25-15 per year for four years, the vacatingContinue reading “The Verdict on Penn State”

Models Monday: Taking Another Look at What You Have

I don’t know when it happened, but it’s been several months since I decided to like the material things in my life. I decided that I wasn’t going to look past them to those better things that existed after I washed that dress and it began to fade or even longed for the things thatContinue reading “Models Monday: Taking Another Look at What You Have”

Nourishment

A friend sent me a link to an interview with Toni Morrison where she offers a critique of the offerings currently found in American popular culture. Her sentiments aptly capture its limitations: “I really want some meaning. It used to be easy to toss it off. Now it’s harder and harder. You have to navigateContinue reading “Nourishment”

RIP: Billie Holiday 1915-1959

On this day, July 17, in 1959 Billie Holiday passed away. In tribute, I have provided links to a few sources that would make for interesting consultation. NPR ran an interesting piece on Billie Holiday’s final resting place. bio.TRUE STORY has a nice mini-bio film about Holiday at their site. Between these two sources, twoContinue reading “RIP: Billie Holiday 1915-1959”

Models Monday: Responses to People Who Don’t Like You

When I was in grade school I told my mother that a teacher did not like me. “So,” my mother responded. “Not everyone’s going to.” Later I learned that my mother was at least concerned that I wasn’t being mistreated when she told me of her conference with this very teacher upon collecting my reportContinue reading “Models Monday: Responses to People Who Don’t Like You”

Reading with my Father: Slim’s Table Interlude (on Penn State)

In light of former federal judge and director of the F.B.I. Louis J. Freeh’s investigation into the Penn State scandal and the release of the findings, I decided to re-post my thoughts on the matter. I’ll be curious to read your reaction to my piece given these findings. Maybe Mitch Duneier’s description of Bart’s death andContinue reading “Reading with my Father: Slim’s Table Interlude (on Penn State)”