From "Wings" - a 1927 silent film

 

An Assortment of What Ifs

 

My Substack column lists many close calls.

[Photo by Lesli Whitecotton at Unsplash.]

First Paragraph

"He's been taking pictures three years, look at the work," Maurice said. "Here, this guy. Look at the pose, the expression. Who's he remind you of?"

- From LaBrava by Elmore Leonard

On My List

 

The Weird Nature of Decisions

There are decisions that are quickly made and others that are mulled over with advisors.

All well and good.

But the strange part is that the significance of the decision often has little influence on which technique is used.

I've seen major decisions that are quickly and casually made while great time is devoted to minor, easily reversible, decisions.

And a category that deserves special study contains issues that bubble along and never come close to being decided.

Back By Popular Demand

 

A Silent Film Star Responds with Style and Grace

 

First Paragraph

We were at prep, when the Head came in, followed by a new boy not in uniform and a school-servant carrying a big desk. Those who had been asleep woke up, and every boy rose to his feet as though surprised in his labours.

- From Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

On My List

 

Niall Ferguson on Ending the War in Ukraine