David Himmel 7/11/20 David Himmel 7/11/20

My Ascent to Greatness Will Not Be Compromised by the Likes of You

When I was twenty, I went to work for a captain of industry. A titan really.
I met him through the fraternity I had just pledged.
He said, he saw something in me — I had ambition, I had smarts, I had just what he was looking for.
I had reminded him of himself when he was my age.
That was a long time ago. More than twice my life thus far.

David Himmel 7/10/20 David Himmel 7/10/20

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Week of July 5, 2020

I think Donald Trump’s biggest problem is that he didn’t spent enough time around campfires as a kid.

Don Hall 7/9/20 Don Hall 7/9/20

I Like to Watch: Hamilton

I sat down and prepared myself to be blown away and embarrassed by my snobbery at the few songs I had heard and my natural inclination to be suspicious of hype.

I wasn’t wrong.

Joe Janes 7/8/20 Joe Janes 7/8/20

The Minutes of Our Last Meeting | Hogwart's, Go Online!!!

The students of Hogwart’s and their instructors should not be meeting in person. Not until there’s a vaccine. I’m just a part-timer. They’re not listening to me. Parents, it’s your child and your money. They’ll listen to you.

Don Hall 7/8/20 Don Hall 7/8/20

Competing Visions of the Future Society

Five blind men encounter an elephant. Each touches a part of the animal but, due to the limited exposure to each element, misidentifies what they are interpreting. The guy who touches the ear thinks they have stopped at a palm tree. The guy who grabs the trunk thinks it’s a python. And so on. Until the five confer with one another, they can’t know the bigger picture.

We are blind men and the pandemic is the elephant.

Don Hall 7/6/20 Don Hall 7/6/20

I Believe... [Choose Love But FUCK YOU!]

I believe… that when you post things like “Choose Love” and follow it up with a strident hatred for someone you disagree with, you have clearly demonstrated how completely full of shit you are.

Elizabeth Harper 7/5/20 Elizabeth Harper 7/5/20

On Going Through Family Papers During the Pandemic

Everyone seems so very fragile,
as fragile as the books falling apart
from glue that has dried to cracking,
tears in the dust jackets,
the extra thin World War II era paper

Don Hall 7/4/20 Don Hall 7/4/20

The Speaking of the Truth of the American Experiment

While America is far from dead and the Grand Experiment in Liberal Democracy far from complete, Independence Day should be a celebration as well as a recalibration.

David Himmel 7/3/20 David Himmel 7/3/20

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Independence Day Edition

Seeing giant American flags draped across giant crosses as I drive through central Illinois… I love how the irony of crucifying the flag is completely lost on these patriots.

Don Hall 7/3/20 Don Hall 7/3/20

Trial by Instagram and the Cynical Wielding of New Power

In practice, this guy was almost a poster boy for the entire concept of allyship. He was the fucking Tom Cruise of white allies. There were two problems with Harrington that his work and effort could not overcome. He was white and his business had an Instagram account.

Jenni Thurston 7/2/20 Jenni Thurston 7/2/20

This is My Mask

You’ll know years before her death that the time was going to come soon. What you won’t realize is how you’ll lose her before she’s actually gone.

Joe Janes 7/1/20 Joe Janes 7/1/20

The Minutes of Our Last Meeting – Daddy’s Girl

Your court-ordered honesty is appreciated.

Don Hall 7/1/20 Don Hall 7/1/20

The Most Effective Question to Ask Yourself in Times of Political Upheaval

“What if I’m wrong?”

Contributing Writer 6/30/20 Contributing Writer 6/30/20

PARDON MY FRONTAL LOBOTOMY

Excuse me, do you know where the restroom is?

I must confess to you, I smell like a petri dish.

Don Hall 6/29/20 Don Hall 6/29/20

I Believe… [Gift-Wrapped Privilege]

I believe… that as a white man with privilege but no power, you can have it. I’ll even put it in one of those nice Amazon gift bags for you.

Don Hall 6/29/20 Don Hall 6/29/20

Squaring the Circle: Tips on Managing the Chaos

Maybe I am stupid. I’ve certainly been called worse by both political extremes since...well...as long as I can remember. If I am stupid, I’m definitely too dense to recognize it. Managing chaos, living in uncertain times, is just that. Managing and living.

Guest User 6/28/20 Guest User 6/28/20

The Tao of Utopia - An Urban Exploration Poem

Stopping far from a level concourse behind a mahogany door

to a room where a girl poses for a portrait on the floor

between a large book and a crooked television.

Her gossamer night dress hasn't been changed from in nights and days.

David Himmel 6/26/20 David Himmel 6/26/20

Notes from the Post-it Wall | Week of June 21, 2020

Other than a sailboat, a soundproof booth with a mic and headphones is my favorite place to be.

David Himmel 6/26/20 David Himmel 6/26/20

Selfish Love

It was a hard decision. One Marie had to make alone. Her poor, sick kitty couldn’t weigh in even though it was his opinion that should have mattered most. Cancer. It’s a bummer no matter the species.

Don Hall 6/25/20 Don Hall 6/25/20

The Extreme Costs of Making a Stupid Mistake

There is nothing bad about being wrong. Admitting it has, however, become the worst possible thing one can do in today's punishment over rehabilitation society.