About

Hello.  I am J. P.  and this is my blog.  I have been at this for over ten years now, so feel free to look around and see if you find anything you like.  I am working on a more accessible index so that things will be easier to find, but isn’t browsing half the fun?  In any case, I will try to keep things interesting.

I live in central Indiana.  When I started this blog, I was a practicing attorney. A couple of years ago (and at about 38 years in) I decided I had had enough and chose to try something new.  I am now a couple of years into being a professional truck driver.  Yes, it is a big change, but one that has taken a lot of stress out of my life.

I have written on old cars at Curbside Classic for quite a few years now, and have tried to broaden the scope of my writing here.   My schedule is to have fresh content bright and early every Friday morning, and I strive for something with a little meat to it.  I mix the topics up a bit, so we may bounce from serious topics of life to some lighter things about classic jazz music, or maybe just a good chuckle.

Yes, everyone tells me that to be successful in today’s environment, a blog has to focus on one thing.  That, however, is not how I roll here.  Instead, I like to think that this is more of a way to share things that interest me in a way that will make them interesting to you as well.

When I write about faith issues it is from the perspective of a faithful Catholic.  I came to the faith late which may be why I am really into it.  I am also a longtime lover of music, classic jazz in particular.  If you you can smile and nod along to my half-serious opinion that the long-play record ruined jazz, consider yourself a friend.  Finally, I like to look around and observe.  Our world has so many things to see and consider and you will find my take on some of those things here.

Comments are encouraged – with one house rule:  Don’t be a jerk.  This is a friendly place where we can enjoy each others’ company, and I am confident that we can all keep it that way.  Serious topics can touch on strong opinions and I am fine with comments sharing some of them so long as it is done in a thoughtful and respectful way.  I believe that we can all learn something from each other.

Let’s see how this goes, shall we?  And I hope to see you around.

Oh, one more thing.  As a (now retired) lawyer, you just had to figure that I would copyright what I have written and any of my own photographs which I have shared here, you would be right about that.  I therefore reserve all rights to material that I have created.

OK, maybe two – everything here reflects my own personal views and not those of any client, employer, or anyone else in my life.  Unless there is some satire going on, in which case it isn’t my view either.

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15 thoughts on “About”

  1. Hi there
    As a fledgling blogger, I have read so much advice about niches that I found your relaced approach quite refreshing.
    Looking forward to going through the rest of your content. Thank you

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    • Thank you! And here I sometimes wonder if I am wasting time with my more serendipitous approach instead of something more focused. I guess the world has room for both of us. 🙂

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  5. J.P. Don’t know how to get a hold of you, but a great story in todays NYT about a hidden and now discovered copy of Coltranes “Love Supreme” from a live Seattle date, recorded on a musicians Akai reel-to-reel (hey, Used to have one of those). I guess they’re releasing it, or it’s just released. Worth a read…

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  6. My 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Adventurer, later sold to a Secret Service agent in DC, had a push button transmission control, referenced in your article “The Mysterious Disappearance of the Chrysler Pushbutton Automatic”. However, it did not have this: “Park was engaged by a lever adjacent to the buttons.” It had no lever and thus no “Park”. The man who had originally owned the car (my great-uncle; I “bought” it ($400) from him in 1979, when he stopped driving) told me, “Yea, you just put it in Neutral and use the handbrake.” I enjoyed the car, driving it from Mississippi, it’s home, to my new job in DC with no problems. Along the way, I became involuntarily entangled in an Alabama back highway drag race. A young man in his Chevy Malibu SS 396ci began to harass me, passing and brake checking over and over. The 3rd pass, I accelerated away from him, leaving him and his, erm, hand gesticulations well behind (nothing like a hemi for acceleration above about 40 mph). One Jazz note: I recommend my fav jazz singer, Anita O’Day, to whom I’m sure you already groove.

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    • The 59 Plymouth I owned was like your DeSoto, where the parking brake substituted for a “Park” function.

      Yes, Anita O’Day was a great one!

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  7. Hi JP –

    Something tells me I’m not the usual reader of your blog; I’m a 20-year-old girl who works in graphic design. Nevertheless, I was doing some digging on the internet regarding some 78rpm records I own, and I came across your four blog posts about the audio format wars. I own many types of records and I found it super intriguing as a history lover and a music lover. To me, the way in which we physically interact with music carries a meaning. I like ur writing style as well.

    Cheers!

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  8. Hi JP. Fellow attorney here inspired by your transition to truck driving. I wonder if you wouldn’t mind talking a bit about your experience in further detail with me sometime. Be it via email or telephone? Let me know and I’ll provide my contact details. Safe travels, and keep writing!

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