Poem: [what remains …]
what remains is a certain feeling an aridity a lawless guilt some unsung heroes in the quiet the midmorning after you gunned me down with your love took me in your arms and pressed so tight what was then i; … [read more]
Carsten Knoch
Poetry
Between 1990 and 1995, I wrote poetry. Drawn to finding a creative outlet during a time of newfound English language proficiency, I stumbled upon a group of Cape Town poets organized by Peter Horn, then professor of German at UCT … [read more]
The curious case of the Starbucks look-alike insulated cup
Starbucks has had these for a few months now: insulated cups that are made to look just like their regular disposable paper cups. The only thing it’s missing is a brown cardboard sleeve. I’m not completely sure what attracted me … [read more]
Today’s desert island disc: Dwight Yoakam, This Time
A review of Dwight Yoakam’s This Time (1993) Even though I had Hillbilly Deluxe and Cadillacs, Guitars Etc. Etc. on vinyl in the 80s and liked them (really, they provided my first ‘country music’ experiences that weren’t related to the … [read more]
Inaugural Ball – Beyoncé
While her last album was unfortunately not very good (a case where reach exceeded grasp), Beyoncé has a lovely voice – and, evidently, genuine admiration for her new president. Singing Etta James’ “At Last,” she opened the first of many … [read more]
Obamavaganza!
It’s a big day in the US today. Even if it’s in the midst of an economic recession, Obama’s inauguration feels like a moment of hope becoming real. I’m not sure it’s any more specific than that for me: everyone … [read more]
Strategies for lunch
Eating healthily and losing or maintaining one’s weight are hard things to do in a busy life. We’re surrounded by fast food options everywhere: the din of junk food has become deafening, especially now that so much of it claims … [read more]
Recipe: Brown rice and lentil pilaf
If you’re like me and are always looking for low-fuss lunch food that can be pre-cooked and stored in the fridge for a few days, this is a nice recipe. I use a rice cooker for it. You can definitely … [read more]