May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been confined for 10 years. It’s time, on this important day, to bring Julian home. #BringJulianHome
Culture, current affairs
World Press Freedom Day
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materials, Reviews
RGH’s atelier series
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RGH’s atelier series of refined painting oils is good stuff. I’ve used most of the pictured 4-oz jar and I’m very happy with the results. I just placed an order for a full pint. Good oil is critical for painting. RGH refines their oil by “historical methods.” I put that in scare quotes because one…
current affairs, Politics
Afgan attacks
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Yesterday, Taliban elements attacked Ghazni. Several defenders were killed and others captured. In a separate incident in Pul-e-Alam, 30 people were killed by explosions. What makes these attacks ominous is that they occurred on the day when US and NATO troops began their official withdrawal. When President Biden pushed back the complete withdrawal date from…
Books, Grumpy review, Reviews, Uncategorized
Grumpy review: Perdido Street Station
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I’ll cut to the chase: Perdido Street Station by China Mieville is one of the worst books I’ve ever actually finished. Perdido Street Station is a fantasy novel that also straddles the sci-fi and steampunk genres. The story is set in an indeterminate time and place that teems with Bosch-like biological species and other sentients.…
current affairs, Uncategorized
Afghanistan forever and ever
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I was too optimistic when I recently applauded President Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal announcement. I failed to mention that President Trump had scheduled the withdrawal from Afganistan for May. Biden actually is delaying the final withdrawal to September. Naturally, many Afghanis consider this another American broken promise. But what’s more troubling to me is that it’s…
materials, Shop Talk, Studio Corner, Uncategorized
Sable brushes
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Sable brushes are the best. There’s no debate about this. Sure, there are some use cases where the benefits of sable are irrelevant. The fine control provided by sables is lost on large-format oil paintings, for example. So on large paintings, why go to the expense? And–oh boy!–sable brushes are expensive. I paid $60+ over…
current affairs, Politics, Uncategorized
Is the US backing down in Ukraine?
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As a sign of escalating tensions, US President Biden announced sanctions against Russia and expelled several Russian diplomats today. Both sides are talking tough and hurling threats at each other. Putin, of course, promises retaliation. At the same time, the Biden Administration also announced that the two US warships en route to the Black Sea…
current affairs, Politics, Uncategorized
Dark clouds gather in Ukraine
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Since I wrote about my fears of a US-encouraged war between Russia and Ukraine, the news has gotten darker, Russia sent troops to the Russian-Ukraine border. Many are now echoing my warning about war. Both sides–Russia and Ukraine–have only hardened their stance amid calls of de-escalation. Ukraine, prodded by the war-hawks in the Biden administration,…