Mateo de Colón – Page 5 – Mateo de Colón

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favorite novels. It had been a very long time since I’d read it and unlike Don Quixote, I’d only read it once and had forgotten much. With this in mind, I purchased a hard cover some years ago and it had been sitting on my bookshelf…… Continue reading The Count of Monte Cristo

Words and Phrases I Dislike

English has always been a mess of a language with a mix of Old Norse, French and Latin. As a language learner I pay special attention to how English changes over time. I tried reading the Canterbury Tales but the English was too old to understand. If we jump to the 1920s with the first…… Continue reading Words and Phrases I Dislike

Journal Entry – 12.30.23

It is 5:03 AM on December 30th, 2023. This is typically one of my favorite times of the year due to the long break from work for Christmas and New Years. I never take off the few days between those two holidays as it is very slow. Only a few customers will send e-mails and…… Continue reading Journal Entry – 12.30.23

Lapham’s Quarterly – Religion

I am not a religious person in the traditional sense. Here in the USA in 2023 it remains that most religious people are part of an institution filled with traditions, rituals and rules. The vast majority subscribe to their faith because their parents and ancestors did and because their community does. The Christian religion aptly…… Continue reading Lapham’s Quarterly – Religion

Journal Entry – A reflection on the passage of time.

I am now 46 years old. This continues to be shocking to me. I’m awed by how fast time goes and am served constant reminders. “Classic Rock,” is now Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Metallica and all the others from my youth. To me ‘Classic Rock’ is Led Zepplin, The Doors and The Blue Oyster Cult. In…… Continue reading Journal Entry – A reflection on the passage of time.

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

Ever since I studied abroad in Toledo, Spain in 1997 I’ve been fascinated by history. Toledo itself is historic being founded by the Romans, overrun by the Visigoths, transformed by the Moors and conquered by the Christians. Now, the entire place is a relic, full of priceless churches that serve as monuments to the historical…… Continue reading Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

Dreamland – The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic

I read this book because a big part of it takes place in my home state of Ohio and I’m familiar with Mexico having studied there for a time. I learned that the opiate epidemic first began around 1997 when I was a student at Ohio State and then grew from then until around 2012…… Continue reading Dreamland – The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic

Journal Entry – 10.28.2023

It is three days before Halloween. This is my favorite time of year, right before the holiday season. It is at this time I miss Ohio with the changing colors of the leaves to brilliant red and orange and the cooling of the weather which heralds Buckeye football. Here in California it does get a…… Continue reading Journal Entry – 10.28.2023