I started teaching adult ESL classes at a local community college a few weeks ago. The biggest surprise was the diversity of the students—not so much because it was an ethnically diverse classroom, which it is, but diverse in the kinds of people I normally interact with. My students are the people who are usually…
Fragments from War by EM
Our correspondent has not been in touch much recently. From incomplete news media reports, we know there have been assaults in his area. When there are assaults, standard procedure at military bases is to shut down all non-essential communications, which means no phone calls or Internet access. This prevents the news media/families/others from receiving thousands…
Sick in Iraq by EM
Unfortunately, I am sick again, and much worse this time. Had to go get the medics up last night to get some help. Feeling better this morning, but after I send off this email I’m going to crawl back into my cot and try to sleep this off. The problem is that our battalion and…
Bombs Away by EM
While on a recent mission our correspondent’s squad received a call from the Iraqi police that they had discovered a team of criminals burying an IED in the street. They disrupted the vile deed, and chased the perps. Meanwhile, guards were left to keep people away from the IED, and they asked for assistance to…
KABUL AT NIGHT
Kabul at night. It was the first time I had been out driving at night. These were the “danger hours,” when westerners were sternly warned to stay off the streets. Three Afghan colleagues had invited me for a pizza dinner in a place that secretly served wine and beer. What could go wrong? Well, two…
4 Essential Travel Tips
I’ve made several long driving trips around the USA in the past 3 years, one in a camper van, the other staying in a wide range of hotels, from mom & pop ‘50s style motels to deluxe resorts. I totaled about 30,000 miles, and have visited every state except Alaska ( but soon). I was…
Dellinger Grist Mill Documentary Sample
https://youtu.be/361KhhVtZ00 In the summer of 2016, before we had ever visited High Cove, my wife, Catheryn, and I, after a morning hike on Roan Mountain, stopped in the tiny town of Bakersville, NC for lunch at Helen’s Restaurant. A fellow came in with an armful of corn meal sacks, and left them on the counter….
NETFLIX INDIE FILMS RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIE NETFLIX STREAMING FILMS; EXCELLENT, BUT MOSTLY IGNORED BY CRITICS AND MEDIA. Friends have asked how I pick them. Here’s a list recommended by pro film writers. Begin with (*) titles, which I’ve seen and loved. In no specific order: HUNTER GATHERER*, A WOMAN A PART, I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS, KING…
Opinion | Donald Trump’s Secret? Channeling Andrew Jackson
I taught ESL one summer to Mexicans in the US. They said they moved to the US, and had no respect for anti-immigration laws. They said they were justifiably reclaiming the land stolen from them in the 18th and 19th centuries, by white Europeans. No matter how many times they were deported, they would still…
Travel Tales- EMPTY MONTANA
montana wilderness – indian paradise lost After spending the night at Little Bighorn Battle Field with the Lakota and US Calvary re-enactors, I headed back to the Monument Headquarters for a Crow-native guided tour of the battle sites—told from the Native point of view. The guide was one of the tribal officers, who led the…