I play Grandpa Joseph
Why, hey there, boy! Good morning! And where are you off to? Why don’t you sit down for a few minutes with your grandpa? Oh, oh, sure. Your friends. Well, I’m sure I’ll still be here when...
Category: Society
Euro 2008: boys with balls
Thank God for the existence of Iker Casillas. The Spanish keeper, team captain, and Legolas-like wonderboy made the final bearable for me. Casillas made me think back to 2002, when this unusually...
The traveler hypothesizes
I’m traveling again. I’ve found that this sort of experience gives rise to much scientific thought. While many travel writers use the tried and true “stream of consciousness” approach, I...
Americans in Paris: a love rekindled
Picture courtesy of Liza Bishop & Kent Morris. Back in 2003, the love affair between France and America ended. To make matters worse, the "break-up" between the two countries happened on...
The Hong Kong Sinfonietta, a growing presence
3 May 2008 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 4 in G minor, Op 40 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor, Op 18 The Sinfonietta, established in 1990, offered concertgoers the rare chance to enjoy...
Medjugorje: fervent worship and booming business
The last time I came to Bosnia was in the middle of the Balkan War. My mother loves bargains and war zone holidays always are cheaper. In Bosnia, though, we were looking for something more profound...
There and Back Again: my trip to Orlando
I’m like a million other people: I’m at the airport, waiting for a flight. I packed last night, and even checked in on-line; it was all extremely organized. I’m that sort of person. Of course,...
Monaco: for those with massive credit limits!
For the last ten years, I have been coming to sunny and opulent Monaco for the odd weekend here and there. My mother moved here following my parents' divorce. Monaco a strange place, rather like...
When humanitarianism loses its message
I attended a silent vigil outside the Pakistani High Commission in London last week. It called for the abolishment of the death penalty in Pakistan and came just one week before the planned execution...
Budapest: good food and good times
I was excited to explore this city after having heard so much about Budapest from my Grandmother, Pempe Aitken, who once joined Queen Juliana of Holland on her honeymoon here. It was the celebratory...