mikepowernyc

Tofurky Day 2021

I became a vegetarian during my freshman year of high school, on Thanksgiving Day. I was fourteen years old and, excluding the first few years, when digesting such things would have proved difficult, I figure that I had between 10 and 12 traditional Thanksgiving dinners before purging myself of the consumption of flesh. Earlier thatContinue reading “Tofurky Day 2021”

Bloggiversary 2021

Another year, another number. Eight years ago today this blog was launched and now, 983 posts later, is another chance to consider the consequences of the passage of time. I am on my third day job since starting this blog, with dimming prospects from making a living from my more creative pursuits. Still, the inescapableContinue reading “Bloggiversary 2021”

Eclipse

Last night, for a few hours, Earth insinuated itself between the sun and the moon. It got me thinking that the alignment of celestial bodies is a sign from the universe that other realignments might be possible. I have been around long enough and travelled far enough to see much of the beauty on thisContinue reading “Eclipse”

The Unknown Soldier

100 years ago, the United States chose to commemorate a different kind of soldier. Not the hero whose exploits were known and witnessed and reported. Not the child whose parents kept a photo on their of the soldier they would never see alive again. Instead, the place of honor in Arlington National Cemetery would goContinue reading “The Unknown Soldier”

Genius in our Midst: Billy Bragg

In 1983, Billy Bragg released his first album, Life’s a Riot with Spy vs. Spy, unleashing his ferocious talent on the music world. In acts of pure alchemy, he merges the rough-edged punk of The Clash with the earnest protest folk of Phil Ochs and sprinkles his songwriting with a unique perspective on the relationshipContinue reading “Genius in our Midst: Billy Bragg”