Just Charlie

A digital commonplace for a Regular Guy called Charlie Pharis

Category: Thoughts (page 1 of 15)

February 4, 2026 / 0 Comments

Early Morning In the Stacks…

 

 

I love coming early to work! The job is not all that and a bag of chips, but getting here early in the morning before almost anyone else has its charms.

The building is quiet: no students studying or administrators administering; no banter, no chatter, no class study groups socializing more than studying; no budding romances budding, none of that.

There’s me. And the stacks.

I walk from the elevator to my little cubbyhole office, and I travel through one of my favorite sections. I pass Dickens and Kipling and Yeats and Forster and a lot of others on that row. They sit and call out to me to open their pages and read. They invite me to pause for a moment, open the covers, breathe in that aroma, and spend a little time with them.

For a moment, at least, I’m transported away from the pressures of this stupid world and into a world of literary genius, paper, ink, and wonder.

All I need is a card catalog. No, not the digital kind accessible on my computer. I mean one of those big wooden pieces of imposing furniture, comprised of a whole bunch of little drawers filled with 3 x 5 index cards. The Map of All Knowledge. The Fount of Wisdom. The key to learning anything about everything.

But alas, it’s just me. And the stacks. And time to wander.

August 26, 2025 / 0 Comments

From the It’s All Coming Back to Me Now Department…

These days I’m remembering how much I loved the “college experience.” I loved it so much that sometimes I pursued it instead of other important things like…oh, I don’t know…going to class and submitting assignments on time…things like that. Now before you start judging, please keep in mind that I didn’t neglect  “learning,” per se. I spent many an hour squirreled away among the stacks in the library, hanging out with my fraternity brothers, etc., etc.

And that brings me to the current state of affairs back in the Ivory Tower again.

Long story…

Yesterday I went to work and knocked out a couple of projects in my office. Then I changed clothes and went and did a funeral. I left my computer and my “office casual clothes” at the office, planning to pick them up on the way home.

I retrieved my stuff and got on the elevator to leave, still dressed in my suit pants, tie, white shirt, and cap-toe Oxfords. A kid, apparently a brand-new, wide-eyed, naive freshman was already inside. (Side note: I recognize that species from personal experience).

“How’s school,” I asked. (Next side note: I’ve asked that question countless times since the beginning of school, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the interactions as a result. Another post for another time though).

“How’s school?”

Kid: “It’s been great so far. I’m on my way to fencing now!”

Me: “Fencing? You mean the thing with swords or the thing that keeps cattle in the pasture?”

Kid (hearty laugh): “That’s a good one! But this is the one with the swords.”

Me: “So is this a PE class or something?”

Kid: “Oh, no. It’s a club!”

We passed a few more pleasantries while the elevator made its way down. I started to exit, and the kid says, “What do you teach?”

Me: “Oh, I’m just lowly part-time library staff.”

Kid: “Oh, really? Well you look like a professor.”

Me: “Thanks. I think. Have fun at fencing.”

Kid: “I think I will! Thanks!”

April 4, 2025 / 0 Comments

Out of It…


Out of it. Out of whack. Out of sorts. Out of options.

Out of order. Out of date. Out of touch.

Out of line. Out of sight. Out of mind.

Out of my mind. Out of my league. Out of my lane.

Out of my field. Out of the ordinary. Out of bounds.

Out of office. Out of breath. Out of stock.

Out of focus. Out of reach. out of context.

Out of the ordinary. Out of options. Out of luck.

Out of service. Out of this world. Out of time.

June 26, 2024 / 0 Comments

Random Ramblings…

If you’ve been hanging around these parts at all over the last 21+ years, you’ll agree that many of the all too sporadic posts deal with serendipity and/or synchronicity. I’m just that kind of observer, I guess. And when I observe something, often it puts me in touch with something else related or almost related. So you might say this blog—when it runs at all—runs on finding stuff others throw out or leave behind. Today is no different.

Here’s a couple of items for today…

Julian Summerhayes asks, on Tumblr…

Since when did a plurality of old people turn into a burden on society and not be, as they rightly should be, the repository of ancient, mythic wisdom?

David Murray, over at Writing Boots (note: the actual site returns a “nonsecure” message, so you’re on your own on that one), opines on what we call “burnout’…

These days, we would say that Dr. R. was “suffering from burnout.” Nope. He was just questioning the meaning of his work (and thus, to some extent, his life), and finding it wanting. Like we all do, some days. For some, most days. We just don’t give a sh*t.

We should feel free to say so, once in a while—especially in the middle of the summer, especially with our intimates, at the very least, with ourselves.

But do we dare? Do I? Do you? I think we should. For everyone’s good.

January 1, 2024 / 0 Comments

A Word and Some More for 2024…

Hello, you loyal readers…all both of you! And happy New Year from this little dusty spot on the interwebs. Traditionally, today has been the day for reflection on the year just past and commitment to be better in the year that is just starting. And as someone somewhere opined, “New year’s resolutions are a to-do list for the first week in January.” That’s about right, because that’s just about how long they last.

Anyway, enough about that. Let’s get to what you came here for, shall we?

Some random thoughts on a new year…

One Word. There are folks out there who subscribe to the idea of having One Word for the year. One word that ideally and hopefully will define your intentions for the year, and guide you as you live, work, and love. One word to remind you of who you want to be and what you’re doing to become that person. One word to rule them all, so to speak. Having never been much on that kind of thing before, this year it seemed appropriate to me to think about it. So my word for 2024 is going to be elevate. Stay tuned for more details. (How’s that for piquing your readers’ interest—and setting up a reminder, a prompt to further develop a thought?)

August 11, 2023 / 0 Comments

Thankful Friday…

Ooh! Ooh! Two posts…in the same month! And on the same day!

As I was writing the ol’ Morning Pages this morning, I began to think of how Fridays are the perfect time for reflecting on The Week That Was, The Weekend That Is To Come, and The General State Of Things In This Life As We Know It. (Looks more epic if you capitalize it like a title, no?)

Anyway, there are several items that make me thankful today, even in the midst of—especially in the midst of—these topsy-turvy times in which we are called to live. Here we go. Add your own if you’re playing along.

  • Gooey, cheesy ziti al mondo at our favorite reliable American Eye-talian joint is better when it’s shared across the table from My Favorite Hoosier. Oh, and keep the rolls coming, please.
  • Playlists. Yeah, yeah…I know. More AI-generated “music” than real artists sometimes. But I’m very thankful for the people who have the knowledge and the time to curate and share their playlists. Right now, for instance, Tsh Oxenreider’s “Deep Work” is powering this blog post. Thanks, Tsh!
  • And finally, this story showed up in my Twitter…I mean…X! feed. The original feature was in 2021, so I don’t even know if Caitlin and Street Brew Coffee are still a thing in Toronto, but it sure made me smile out loud this morning. Turns out Caitlin is still pumping out coffee and good vibes!

Remember (he says to himself)…you’re pretty much going to find what you’re looking for. This quote from Katherine May’s Enchantment is a sound observation…

Enchantment is small wonder magnified through meaning, fascination caught in the web of fable and memory. It relies on small doses of awe, almost homeopathic: those quiet traces of fascination that are found only when we look for them.

So today, dear both of you readers, make your Friday a day for looking for and finding The Good Stuff that’s all around, the Stuff That Makes Your World Wonderful.

August 11, 2023 / 0 Comments

AI for Non-Creative Creative Wannabes…

Greetings, fans of Just Charlie! All both of you have been waiting with bated breath for another infrequent installment in this space. Well, wait no more! It’s Friday, and that often means random goodness from all over the place. Let’s jump in with a quick glance at a new cool tool…

See those two images at the top? They’re what happened yesterday when I discovered the rabbit hole that is Adobe’s Generative AI products. I’ve used the Generative Fill tool in the beta of Photoshop once, and I had pretty good results. But I’ve kind of resisted playing around with Firefly and the tools in Adobe Express, just because. But yesterday, with a little dark and early time on my hands, I jumped in. Here’s what I discovered in my short introduction:

  • If you can describe what you want to see, there’s a good chance these tools will get you a reasonable facsimile.
  • There’s an issue with eyes, faces, and fingers. Why do the eyes look so funky? And why do some faces look distorted and even downright scary?
  • And what’s the deal with six fingers? Seven fingers? No fingers, just club hands?
  • The results are a mixed bag, but if you keep refreshing the space, eventually you’ll get something you can live with.

I know there’s quite a bit of conversation about AI and its role in our culture. I do fear that people like me—old coot wannabes with limited skills, at best—will likely be replaced by these tools. I’m also afraid of the ramifications for communication, politics, and our society in general, as we cede more and more of our rational human function to The Machines. Maybe more on that later. But for a few minutes on a Thursday, it was a fun little distraction for a guy who had an artistic and creative bypass at birth.

July 18, 2023 / 0 Comments

Tuesday, July 18, 2023…

It’s taken me almost a month to get used to the pocket sized Moleskine again, but now it just feels right, like the good ol’ days, or something.

Here’s fair warning to all both of you, loyal readers. This post will not be earth-shattering, life-changing stuff. It won’t. It’ll be a couple of random lines, mostly copied from somewhere else to accomplish two things: getting my mind and fingers working, and boosting that word count up to 300 for the day. You’ve been advised, so you can probably go ahead and move on to something more profound and productive.

How Does it Profit the South?

John Slaughter writes over at The Abbeville Institute about how the South as we know it is being homogenized away by encroaching factors mostly beyond our control. Now, I understand there aren’t a lot of folks who love the South out loud (the result of those “encroaching factors”), but I am one. You can save all your blah blah blah about racism and Lost Causes and backward ignorance and all that. That’s not the South I love and it’s not what I’m talking about here. It is true, however, that Aunt Pittypat (from the Book That Shall Not Be Named—and Film That Shall Not Be Named) was quite prophetic: How, indeed?

But back to Mr. Slaughter:

We are already seeing our rich customs, traditions, and values being overshadowed or discarded in the relentless pursuit of profit and conformity. How many statues and headstones now lie in ruins or hidden away in storage lockers because transplants brought forth by the lure of money and employment sought to turn the South into little New England?

The consequences of large corporations dictating our cultural landscape weigh heavily on my mind. In a world driven by mass consumption and fleeting trends, I can’t help but worry that the vibrancy and authenticity of our Southern traditions may be reduced to mere commodities, stripped of their true essence and significance. The introduction of conflicting values from diverse backgrounds further compounds these concerns, as it threatens to dilute the very core of our heritage and erode our collective identity.

Moreover, the rapid expansion of urban centers raises valid concerns about the displacement of longstanding communities. Iconic cities like Atlanta and North Carolina’s Research Triangle now wield significant influence, overshadowing rural areas and threatening the very fabric that has nurtured our customs and shaped our collective memory for generations.

Reflecting on this situation, I find myself drawn to Christ’s words in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Are we willing our identity for GDP and manicured lawns? Is increased tax revenue worth forced cultural amnesia? I for one do not want a South that is indistinguishable from Ohio or Illinois.

Eleven Reasons for Stories

Nicholas Bate reminds us that stories are powerful means of communicating important material. After all, the Great Storyteller and some who followed in His footsteps have been good examples.

Among the eleven reasons Mr. Bate gives for good stories, this one sits in the middle:

Stories use language not just words; it requires an engaged brain to use a story. And the latter is an increasingly rare commodity on a Zoom/Teams call.

Toni Cade Bambara reminded us to take words seriously.

And finally, this morning, Mitch Chase engages Proverbs 15:30 to encourage us to be, well…encouragers!

And would you look at that? That 300 word goal? Well, it almost doubled! Take that, inertia!

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