Category: musings
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On life, presence, the speed of childhood and the perils of rushing
Last night I had some rare one-on-one time with my oldest, who will be 9 in what seems like a heartbeat. As I tucked him in, he asked me to sing him a song – something he hasn’t asked for in a while. I was feeling frustrated, tired, irritable, and just wanted him to go…
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A few words about snowflakes
I was walking out of a restaurant recently when I overheard one of those “Make America Great Again” hat-wearing clods complaining loudly. He was ranting and raving about “liberal snowflakes” who “love gender-neutral bathrooms” and don’t realize that terrorists are, right this very minute, hiding in the midst of every group of ragtag refugees that’s…
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In a vinyl frame of mind
On turntables, music and the hi-fi life Last year I wrote a really fun column (Can Vinyl Get My Groove Back?) about a void in my life: the absence of a turntable. Last night I finally took the plunge and bought one. I didn’t opt for any of the hyper-expensive options I researched in my…
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An entitled piece on titles
I have a confession to make: NPR is driving me crazy. Now, if you know me, that’s going to come as a surprise, because you probably also know I love NPR. Yes, I’m that guy: the one who listens to Steve Inskeep, Rachel Martin and David Greene in the mornings on the way to work. I listen…
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On life, and the passing into history of a year most(ly) dreary
Back in 1989, my friends Chris, Linda, Karen, Tamara and I were hanging out listening to music, as usual, in somebody’s dorm room at ESU. At some point, we went to our dorm’s common room and flipped on MTV or VH1, and on came the video for The Traveling Wilburys’ “End of the Line.” When…
Patrick F. O'Donnell 