At tragedies, bull-fights, and crucifixions hath he [man] hitherto been happiest on earth; and when he invented his hell, behold, that was his heaven on earth.
Nietzsche (Thus Spake Zarathustra)
I can’t help but think that O’Connor and Nietzsche notice the same aspect of the human soul. We are ugly. And yet, they are so [...]
Archive for December, 2007
The Grotesque
Posted in Literary, Philosophy and Theology on 31 December 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Lancelot
Posted in Literary on 26 December 2007 | 1 Comment »
Do you think it would be fine to be the best knight in the world? Think, then, also, how you would have to defend the title. Think of the tests, repeated, remorseless, scandal-breathing tests, which day after day would be applied to you– until the last and certain day, when you would fail [...]
The World is an Artichoke. Yum.
Posted in Literary on 25 December 2007 | Leave a Comment »
The problem with reading collections of essays about books … is that the activity merely serves to make my reading list longer. It seems to be counter productive, to say the least. Oh well, Italo Calvino is worth the ceaselessly expanding stack of books-to-read.
The world’s reality presents itself to our eyes as [...]
sometimes rain that’s needed falls
Posted in Philosophy and Theology, tagged Christmas, Incarnation on 25 December 2007 | 1 Comment »
Christmas traditions in my family are fluid. They rise and swell as seventeen thirty-three rises and swells. There is the Christmas calendar, L’Engle’s Twenty-four days before Christmas, family the Saturday before, the crumbling clay figures hanging from the front windows … tonight after service at Rock Harbor the older Cards watched The Family [...]
Choosing a Presidential Candidate
Posted in Philosophy and Theology, Politics, tagged Jesus, pets and politics, presidential candidates, religion on 23 December 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Disclaimer: I’ve only been politically cognizant for two and half presidential elections. I vaguely remember Bill Clinton versus Bob Dole, but it’s hard to work up excitement for the White House when you’re eleven. In 2004, at least I could vote. These are the ramblings of a political novitiate.
It seems strange what sorts of things [...]
Kitten Christmas
Posted in Personal on 22 December 2007 | 1 Comment »
When driving home from Seattle, Becky told me she wanted to get me a kitten. After a summer of freedom and frivolity, I didn’t think I could handle that kind of responsibility. But the idea stuck.
At my house Christmas party, my housemates handed me a card; inside was a picture of a big eyed [...]
“guard” is spelled g-u-a-r-d.
Posted in Teaching on 19 December 2007 | 1 Comment »
I saw a lot of “gard”s, and “gaurd”s today. I’m annoyed with them. I also read about a “ghoulish maiden” and felt dreadfully sorry for the poor woman who thought she was a maiden from Gaul.
Besides grading papers this evening (and enjoying an amazing Christmas with my house), I’ve been creating some Greek [...]
Biological Clock?
Posted in Personal on 18 December 2007 | Leave a Comment »
On the drive home, I thought about the expression, “comfortable in one’s skin,” and I was like, “No, I’m not comfortable in my own skin! I’ve only been in it for 22 years now!”
And then I thought, “Skin renews itself every seven years… Wouldn’t it be weird if we measured our age in ’skin cycles’?”
So, [...]
“I Am Legend”
Posted in Aesthetics, Movies Music Media, Philosophy and Theology, tagged Christianity and film, Legend, movies, Will Smith on 17 December 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Tonight, I got the crazy notion to go see a movie by myself. And not just any movie: a zombie movie. Mostly because it stars Will Smith, whom I really enjoy as an actor.
I’m not sure whether or not to recommend it, because I have a standing prejudice against horror films. Horror films and cussing [...]
Packing up and moving out
Posted in Personal, Travel on 17 December 2007 | Leave a Comment »
December graduation was last Friday– I watched Ryan, Elise, Leilani, and Shawa receive the recognition of many hours and days labor. I love the restrained and slightly somber jollity of a commencement. Hours spent laughing with Katie, Ryan, family and friends afterwards reminded me of how incredibly lucky I am to know and [...]
