In September 2011, I found myself unexpectedly wandering the streets of Istanbul. I say “unexpectedly” because there was revolution in Syria, a growing social uprising that would eventually ignite an all-consuming civil war. Security concerns had made going back to the city of Aleppo, which is where I had expected to be, impossible. Click to … Continue reading A song of melancholy and last-chance hope: Why I wrote “The Last Dice”
Cities, Towns, Regions
Celebrating a victory for ethics and eloquence
For politically centrist, ethically minded people, who prefer serious debate to trolling and twitterstorms, these are challenging times. As Frank Bruni recently wrote in the New York Times (see link below), extremism and outrage is the order of the day. We need antidotes. Here's one: would you like to see (and hear) an example of … Continue reading Celebrating a victory for ethics and eloquence
Story of a Song: “Goin’ to the Top”
First in a series of entries that will eventually be gathered into a book with the working title, "50 Songs, 50 Stories". This entry tells the story of "Goin' to the Top" — originally written for Aaron Neville, at the request of a New Orleans' business leader. But the road to that song went via … Continue reading Story of a Song: “Goin’ to the Top”
Getting Inspired at Inspiration Day: The Power of “Plus”
I work as a consultant. I also make my living, partly, inspiring other people — or trying to. People pay me to write, to speak, even to sing in ways from which they can gain new ideas and/or new energy, so that they can continue with the challenging work of creating a sustainable world. But … Continue reading Getting Inspired at Inspiration Day: The Power of “Plus”
A Week in Super-Fast Green-Growth South Korea
My first visit to South Korea introduced me to a remarkable country. Everyone I met, from the taxi driver to government officials, was unfailingly kind and courteous. I came away very impressed, on many levels. But the trip certainly started out in an interesting way ... South Korea is in a hurry. I felt this … Continue reading A Week in Super-Fast Green-Growth South Korea
Eco-House, Normal House
A Little Weblog Essay about Our New House, and its Various Environmental and Sustainable Features and Benefits This week my family moves into a new house that we have just finished building -- or rather, that the builders have just finished building, financed by the proceeds on the sale of our previous apartment (we sold … Continue reading Eco-House, Normal House
Alan AtKisson 