Berniegourley
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MY BLOGS
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Tao of Loafing
http://www.berniegourley.com/
Reviews, rants, and randomalia from the desk of Bernie Gourley
LATEST ARTICLES ( 3743 )
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Cash Cow Disease: Or, Don’t Hurt Me The Americans
In political economy, “Dutch disease” is a term used to describe a situation in which a nation’s windfall successes in one sector lead to everything else going... Read more
Posted on 28 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
TODAY’S RANT: The Lonely Omnivore
My salami has a first name, it’s B-E-S-S-Y. I’m a member of a group that has long suffered the bitter pill of discrimination. How is it–you may ask–that a white... Read more
Posted on 27 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
BOOK REVIEW: It’s Getting Better All the Time by Moore & Simon
It’s Getting Better All the Time: 100 Greatest Trends of the Last 100 Years by Stephen MooreMy rating: 3 of 5 starsAmazon pageThe title says it all. Read more
Posted on 27 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
TODAY’S RANT: Punked by NPR
I’m driving along, my mind roving, the droning radio only faintly registering in my subconscious, and suddenly I’m ripped from my reverie by a shrieking siren. Read more
Posted on 26 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
BOOK REVIEW: Steel and Other Stories by Richard Matheson
Steel: And Other Stories by Richard MathesonMy rating: 4 of 5 starsAmazon pageSteel and Other Stories is a collection of 15 short stories from the author of I a... Read more
Posted on 26 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
I Always See the Wrong Movies: Or, Post-Oscars Watcher’s Remorse
I only watched part of the Oscars last night. At some point I realized it wasn’t worth continuing. Read more
Posted on 25 February 2013 ENTERTAINMENT, MOVIES -
BOOK REVIEW: How to Be God by George Mikes
How to Be God by George MikesMy rating: 3 of 5 starsAmazon pageHumorist George Mikes’ main premise in this book is that humans created God in their image. Read more
Posted on 25 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
DAILY PHOTO: The Danube from Gellért Hill
Budapest’s south sideGellért Hill is a prominent overlook in Budapest; it’s topped by the Citadel. The hill offers splendid views both north and south down the... Read more
Posted on 25 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
BOOK REVIEW: The Lone Samurai by Wm. Scott Wilson
The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi by William Scott WilsonMy rating: 4 of 5 starsAmazon page[Note: this was previously posted in my martial arts... Read more
Posted on 24 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
BOOK REVIEW: Secret Weapons by Cheryl Hersha, Et Al.
Secret Weapons by Cheryl HershaMy rating: 3 of 5 starsAmazon pageSecret Weapons is about two sisters who are trained in an MKULTRA-style behavior modification... Read more
Posted on 23 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
DAILY PHOTO: The Grand Palace in Bangkok
On the grounds of the Grand PalaceThis was taken at the Grand Palace in October 2012 as some foul weather was arriving.A few things to keep in mind:1. Read more
Posted on 23 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
Paintings Through a Writer’s Eyes: 6 of My Favorites
Let me begin by being forthright; I know almost nothing about art. If you’re thinking this post might offer you insight into what makes for a good painting,... Read more
Posted on 22 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
BOOK REVIEW: Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams
Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas AdamsMy rating: 4 of 5 starsAmazon pageMy review of: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the GalaxyMy review of: Restaurant at th... Read more
Posted on 22 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
The Bullets That Bore No Name: Or, the Burden We All Bear
MAUTHAUSEN ATTRIBUTION: BUNDESARCHIV, BILD 192-334 / CC-BY-SA Thanks for joining me on the veranda. If you don’t know what I’m talking about... Read more
Posted on 21 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
BOOK REVIEW: Night by Elie Wiesel
Night by Elie WieselMy rating: 5 of 5 starsAmazon PageNobel Prize Winner Elie Wiesel’s book, Night, tells his story as a boy caught in the Holocaust. Read more
Posted on 21 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
Who Am I?
“I” am a collection of cells. some expressly invited by “my” genes others are interlopers, ”my” guts their cross-town bus but these interlopers defend “me” dail... Read more
Posted on 21 February 2013 TRAVEL -
DAILY PHOTO: Plaza De Armas in Arequipa by Night
Basilica CathedralArequipa is known as the White City for the appearance of the stone that serves as one of its most conspicuous building materials. Read more
Posted on 21 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
TODAY’S RANT: Stuck with a Bad Ending
Bonus pages for active readersI miss the days when they put extra blank pages at the end of a book so that you could rewrite an unsatisfactory ending. Read more
Posted on 20 February 2013 RANTS N' RAVES, SELF EXPRESSION -
DAILY PHOTO: Sapelo Island Lighthouse
Sapelo Island LighthouseThis lighthouse is located at the southern end of Sapelo Island off the coast of the state of Georgia. Read more
Posted on 20 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL -
BOOK REVIEW: Story of O by Pauline Réage
Story of O by Pauline RéageMy rating: 3 of 5 starsAmazon page: See HereI haven’t read 50 Shades of Grey, but was surprised to hear that it began as Twilight... Read more
Posted on 20 February 2013 SOCIETY, TRAVEL