In the latest poll, 55 percent of the respondents said that they would vote for the Democratic candidate if Bush were again running for the presidency this year.
What a difference a botched war, bungled hurricane response, and lame-ass Supreme Court Justice nomination makes. Good thing I'm not one to say, "I told you so." Oh, who am I kidding . . .
I told you so.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Satan Rocks!
If you haven't had your head in the sand (that's where it would have to be in order to avoid hearing about this), you know that a 16-year-old young adult was arrested for murdering Pamela Vitale. Now, I'll admit to knowing nothing about the actual murder. I usually don't pay attention to these murder cases that garner national attention. They're typically over-reported, under researched, and overexaggerated to the Nth degree. What caught my eye this morning, however, is the allegation that the
arrested youth is a Satanist.
Suspect Into Satan
When the "Satan" link hit the news a couple days back, you could predict what would come next. Some "expert" on the occult, cults, and all things dark, dank, and scary, would sound the alarm regarding a network of Satanic cults threatening our children. Guess what I found in the news this morning?
Satanic Crime and Murder
Several years ago, one of STK's family members lost a pet to a supposed gang of Satanic youth who listened to death metal. This horrifying gang reportedly terrorized several suburbs of the Denver Metro area trapping local pets, mutilating their bodies, and leaving them to die in their respective yards. When I first heard the story I thought it sounded a little fishy. If the authorities had information on a group of Satanic youth who sacrificed pets--they even told STK's relative what kind of music the Satanists listened to--why couldn't they catch them? I mean, how difficult would it be to watch these kids, discern their activities, and cuff 'em? Several months after the Satanic Cult Infiltrates Denver Suburbs hubbub, and dozens of pet sacrifices later, one of the police units decided to call in an expert: a wildlife biologist. Lo and behold, the biologist reported that the wounds on the pets were similar to wounds produced by various predators, namely coyotes, foxes, and owls. Oddly enough, coyotes, foxes, and owls all call the Denver Metro area suburbs home.
Okay, so this most recent murder obviously isn't the work of natural predators. That's well established. My objection is to the sensationalist "Satanic Networks are Invading our Country" crap. There are a handful of supposed Occult/Satanism/Satanic Cult specialists who always surface after these incidents. These folks have been making the rounds on Geraldo, 20/20, and even Oprah since the mid 1980s. Their message is always the same: your kids are in trouble. If they wear dark clothes, play D&D, or listen to alternative music, they're being seduced by a Satanic Cult.
Let me put this as plainly and as bluntly as I can: THERE ARE NO SATANIC CULTS SEDUCING OUR CHILDREN. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Despite all the sensational headlines, not a single documented case of Satanic Cults exist. Not a single "Ritual Abuse" case has been prosecuted in the U.S. Every time this crap surfaces, it turns out that the perpetrator of the heinous crime was working alone or with a handful of people. I have no doubt there are some twisted folks out there who think they're doing the work of Satan (don't even get me started on that belief). It takes
all kinds, you know? What I can't stand, however, are these folks who make a living crying wolf. Or Satan, as the case may be.
If you want to take a look at some excellent research regarding the non-existent Satanic cults in the U.S., take a glance at the following books.
Satanic Panic: The Creation of a Contemporary Legend
Raising the Devil
Satanic cults in the U.S. Sheesh. The next thing you know, the media will be portraying this disturbed youth as a goth or something.
arrested youth is a Satanist.
Suspect Into Satan
When the "Satan" link hit the news a couple days back, you could predict what would come next. Some "expert" on the occult, cults, and all things dark, dank, and scary, would sound the alarm regarding a network of Satanic cults threatening our children. Guess what I found in the news this morning?
Satanic Crime and Murder
Several years ago, one of STK's family members lost a pet to a supposed gang of Satanic youth who listened to death metal. This horrifying gang reportedly terrorized several suburbs of the Denver Metro area trapping local pets, mutilating their bodies, and leaving them to die in their respective yards. When I first heard the story I thought it sounded a little fishy. If the authorities had information on a group of Satanic youth who sacrificed pets--they even told STK's relative what kind of music the Satanists listened to--why couldn't they catch them? I mean, how difficult would it be to watch these kids, discern their activities, and cuff 'em? Several months after the Satanic Cult Infiltrates Denver Suburbs hubbub, and dozens of pet sacrifices later, one of the police units decided to call in an expert: a wildlife biologist. Lo and behold, the biologist reported that the wounds on the pets were similar to wounds produced by various predators, namely coyotes, foxes, and owls. Oddly enough, coyotes, foxes, and owls all call the Denver Metro area suburbs home.
Okay, so this most recent murder obviously isn't the work of natural predators. That's well established. My objection is to the sensationalist "Satanic Networks are Invading our Country" crap. There are a handful of supposed Occult/Satanism/Satanic Cult specialists who always surface after these incidents. These folks have been making the rounds on Geraldo, 20/20, and even Oprah since the mid 1980s. Their message is always the same: your kids are in trouble. If they wear dark clothes, play D&D, or listen to alternative music, they're being seduced by a Satanic Cult.
Let me put this as plainly and as bluntly as I can: THERE ARE NO SATANIC CULTS SEDUCING OUR CHILDREN. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Despite all the sensational headlines, not a single documented case of Satanic Cults exist. Not a single "Ritual Abuse" case has been prosecuted in the U.S. Every time this crap surfaces, it turns out that the perpetrator of the heinous crime was working alone or with a handful of people. I have no doubt there are some twisted folks out there who think they're doing the work of Satan (don't even get me started on that belief). It takes
all kinds, you know? What I can't stand, however, are these folks who make a living crying wolf. Or Satan, as the case may be.
If you want to take a look at some excellent research regarding the non-existent Satanic cults in the U.S., take a glance at the following books.
Satanic Panic: The Creation of a Contemporary Legend
Raising the Devil
Satanic cults in the U.S. Sheesh. The next thing you know, the media will be portraying this disturbed youth as a goth or something.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Peace
To the heavens be peace, to the sky and the earth,
to the waters be peace, to plants and all trees,
to the Gods be peace, to Brahman be peace,
to all persons be peace, again and again
--peace be also to me!
-Atharva Veda
to the waters be peace, to plants and all trees,
to the Gods be peace, to Brahman be peace,
to all persons be peace, again and again
--peace be also to me!
-Atharva Veda
The Fantabulous Feast
Appetizer--Do you button shirts top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top?
Bottom to top. Starting at the bottom keeps me from misbuttoning my shirt.
Soup--What is your favorite sandwich?
If we're talking your daily, run of the mill sandwhich, I'd have to go with peanut butter and honey.
Salad--What was a family project you helped work on as a child?
I helped remodel or build three different homes.
Main Course--When have you acted phony?
On a job interview, I suppose. Rather than acting phony, I'd like think I'm choosing to keep some of my quirky behaviors in reserve.
Dessert--Do you write letters or postcards? If so, to whom
Other than email, about the only letter writing I do comes in the form of "thank you" notes.
Bottom to top. Starting at the bottom keeps me from misbuttoning my shirt.
Soup--What is your favorite sandwich?
If we're talking your daily, run of the mill sandwhich, I'd have to go with peanut butter and honey.
Salad--What was a family project you helped work on as a child?
I helped remodel or build three different homes.
Main Course--When have you acted phony?
On a job interview, I suppose. Rather than acting phony, I'd like think I'm choosing to keep some of my quirky behaviors in reserve.
Dessert--Do you write letters or postcards? If so, to whom
Other than email, about the only letter writing I do comes in the form of "thank you" notes.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Potpourri
The 'rents were in town for the extended weekend.* I wish I could say it was a wonderful visit, but it wasn't. My father and I crossed sabers for the one billionth time. Dear old Dad reminded me, as he has from childhood, that I'll never measure up to his standard of success. I reminded him, as I have since my late teens, that I have no desire to follow in his footsteps if it means I'll be a miserable person, like he is, at 63. My mom cried a lot and STK showed a considerable amount of restraint in not entering the fray. Oh, and my dad let us know that the 60+ percent of us who think the President is doing a poor job are dead wrong. The President is doing a wonderful job and if we'd all just step into line, we'd finally be able to stop the flow of terrorists streaming out of Iraq. Yes, his primary source of information is Fox News. ::pounds head on desk:: It's hard to believe we share genetic material. Suffice it to say that the visit reinforced my belief that my father and I have nothing in common and are best served by maintaining a good deal of distance.
On a more positive note, I'm obsessed with the "Destroy Everything You Touch" video by Ladytron. Love the imagery, love the music, and find myself falling in love with the band. Which is odd, really. I usually don't go for the darkwave/electronica stuff. Anyway, it's already on the payday wish list. As is Depeche Modes' Playing the Angel. Their first video off the album, Precious, is also damn cool. More darkwave/electronica? We all have our guilty pleasures, I suppose.
As we're at midterm, school is kind of crazy. Mind you, the present level of crazy is nothing compared to the days of 230 students. I have a handful of papers and a half dozen speeches to grade by Friday. Three exams over the next couple days translates to 55 tests to grade by the end of next week. In addition to grading, I've been approached by a couple folks about doing some collaborative work. One person wants me to team teach a senior seminar and another wants to talk about writing a journal article. While I'm flattered, I'm not sure how I feel about working with someone. I've always done my own thing when it comes to classes and writing. That said, I'll probably agree to the former and not the latter. Being seen as a team player in the workplace probably isn't such a bad thing. We'll see about the writing gig. I'm such a perfectionist that it's possible I'd drive my potential collaborator crazy.
SMC had Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off for Fall Break.
On a more positive note, I'm obsessed with the "Destroy Everything You Touch" video by Ladytron. Love the imagery, love the music, and find myself falling in love with the band. Which is odd, really. I usually don't go for the darkwave/electronica stuff. Anyway, it's already on the payday wish list. As is Depeche Modes' Playing the Angel. Their first video off the album, Precious, is also damn cool. More darkwave/electronica? We all have our guilty pleasures, I suppose.
As we're at midterm, school is kind of crazy. Mind you, the present level of crazy is nothing compared to the days of 230 students. I have a handful of papers and a half dozen speeches to grade by Friday. Three exams over the next couple days translates to 55 tests to grade by the end of next week. In addition to grading, I've been approached by a couple folks about doing some collaborative work. One person wants me to team teach a senior seminar and another wants to talk about writing a journal article. While I'm flattered, I'm not sure how I feel about working with someone. I've always done my own thing when it comes to classes and writing. That said, I'll probably agree to the former and not the latter. Being seen as a team player in the workplace probably isn't such a bad thing. We'll see about the writing gig. I'm such a perfectionist that it's possible I'd drive my potential collaborator crazy.
SMC had Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off for Fall Break.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Precarious Life
The reading group, which decided to tackle Judith Butler's Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence, met for the first time tonight. The book, quite possibly the most accessible of Butler's writings, offers some serious reflections on the post 9-11 response. In the Preface and first two essays, Butler criticizes the lack of earnest discussion regarding the appropriate response to attack. In the Preface she writes,
"Dissent and debate depend upon the inclusion of those who maintain critical views of state policy and civic culture remaining part of a larger public discussion of the value of policies and politics. To charge those who voice critical views with treason, terrorist-sympathizing, anti-Semitism, moral relativism, postmodernism, juvenile behavior, collaboration, anachronistic Leftism, is to seek to destroy the credibility not of the views that are held, but of the persons who hold them [...] It is precisely because one does not want to lose one's status as a viable speaking being that one does not say what one thinks."
You're preaching to the choir, Judith. More interesting than her critique of the lack of true debate following 9-11 are her thoughts regarding mourning and violence. According to Butler, our inability to process and utilize our collective mourning resulted in an illogical call for a violent, vengeful response. Taking a Levinasian approach to the constitution of the subject, Bulter argues that our subjectivity is tied directly to that of the Other, that the Self is called into existance by the hail of the Other. As this is the case, our own mourning provides an opportunity to understand the suffering of those outside our First World existance. In essence, our own pain, loss, and mourning acts as the hail of the Other. When we experience tremendous loss and grief, we understand, in a disconnected sense, the pain and suffering of other people. Responding with violence, then, requires a denial of the Other's humaness, for with a violent response comes additional human suffering. We inflict on innocent Others the pain and suffering we experience. To intentionally inflict pain and suffering on another, argues Levinas (and this is a very simplistic reading of Levinas), requires a refusal of the hail of the Other. It is our ethical responsibility to acknowledge the hail of the Other; refusing the hail of the Other means refusing their humanity. Only when we consider someone less than human, or a less important human, can we respond violently. That's the crux of Levinasian ethics: our own subjectivity occurs in the responsible acknowledgment of the Other's hail. To deny another's humanity is to deny our own.
So what does all that mean for Butler's critique of post 9-11 discourse and reactions? Butler suggests that an understanding of our own pain and grief, and the recognition that similar pain and grief likely contributed to the conditions leading up to 9-11, could have opened valuable lines of dialogue around the world. Foregoing the violent response, she attests, could have enabled us to explore and understand the causes and conditions of 9-11, to understand the human Other(s), rather than plunging into a series of conflicts that have resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties. Every civilian casualty provides pain and grief that could become fuel for the hatred of others, just like it did here in the U.S.
Is Butler right? I don't know. I'm not smart enough to figure all of this out. What I do know is that our current means of dealing with perpetrators of violence doesn't work. Rather than solving problems, we're stuck in a violent cycle. It can't hurt to look at alternatives, right?
"Dissent and debate depend upon the inclusion of those who maintain critical views of state policy and civic culture remaining part of a larger public discussion of the value of policies and politics. To charge those who voice critical views with treason, terrorist-sympathizing, anti-Semitism, moral relativism, postmodernism, juvenile behavior, collaboration, anachronistic Leftism, is to seek to destroy the credibility not of the views that are held, but of the persons who hold them [...] It is precisely because one does not want to lose one's status as a viable speaking being that one does not say what one thinks."
You're preaching to the choir, Judith. More interesting than her critique of the lack of true debate following 9-11 are her thoughts regarding mourning and violence. According to Butler, our inability to process and utilize our collective mourning resulted in an illogical call for a violent, vengeful response. Taking a Levinasian approach to the constitution of the subject, Bulter argues that our subjectivity is tied directly to that of the Other, that the Self is called into existance by the hail of the Other. As this is the case, our own mourning provides an opportunity to understand the suffering of those outside our First World existance. In essence, our own pain, loss, and mourning acts as the hail of the Other. When we experience tremendous loss and grief, we understand, in a disconnected sense, the pain and suffering of other people. Responding with violence, then, requires a denial of the Other's humaness, for with a violent response comes additional human suffering. We inflict on innocent Others the pain and suffering we experience. To intentionally inflict pain and suffering on another, argues Levinas (and this is a very simplistic reading of Levinas), requires a refusal of the hail of the Other. It is our ethical responsibility to acknowledge the hail of the Other; refusing the hail of the Other means refusing their humanity. Only when we consider someone less than human, or a less important human, can we respond violently. That's the crux of Levinasian ethics: our own subjectivity occurs in the responsible acknowledgment of the Other's hail. To deny another's humanity is to deny our own.
So what does all that mean for Butler's critique of post 9-11 discourse and reactions? Butler suggests that an understanding of our own pain and grief, and the recognition that similar pain and grief likely contributed to the conditions leading up to 9-11, could have opened valuable lines of dialogue around the world. Foregoing the violent response, she attests, could have enabled us to explore and understand the causes and conditions of 9-11, to understand the human Other(s), rather than plunging into a series of conflicts that have resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties. Every civilian casualty provides pain and grief that could become fuel for the hatred of others, just like it did here in the U.S.
Is Butler right? I don't know. I'm not smart enough to figure all of this out. What I do know is that our current means of dealing with perpetrators of violence doesn't work. Rather than solving problems, we're stuck in a violent cycle. It can't hurt to look at alternatives, right?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Simple Life
STK landed a job over the weekend. Before we left Colorado, she contacted a gallery here in SMT that needed some part-time help. While that position didn't pan out, the owner of the gallery put STK in touch with the owners of a frame shop. A few weeks after saying "hi" to the owners, she has a job. Most importantly, the hours are completely flexible; STK can, within reason, set her own schedule. That's important to us as we want to minimize daycare hours for The Little One. So, STK will work when I'm at home and I'll work when STK is at home. As we do have one 1/2 hour period when our schedules will overlap twice a week, we have someone lined up to watch TLO. We think he'll do okay.
Rather than celebrating STK's new venture, one of her family members offered criticism as she is wont to do. This family member believes the position is "beneath" STK. Instead, STK should be substitute teaching in the local school district. Uh, except that substituting would mean long daycare hours for TLO, that's a great idea! When STK and I talked about having a child, we made the decision to do whatever we could to be involved parents. For us that means minimizing daycare hours. Had we stayed in Colorado, STK would have kept her job in the local school district and I would have done adjunct teaching in the evenings. When I landed my position, one that entailed moving to an area with a much lower cost of living, we decided STK would adjust her work schedule. The critical family member (CFM) doesn't seem to understand our commitment to our child. Unless I miss my guess, CFM thinks STK is giving up her career for home and family.
We took a short hike Sunday afternoon and discussed CFM's criticism and our plan for the future. Unless a teaching position presents itself, STK and I will continue to balance work with TLO until he reaches school age. Will we have a ton of money? No. Will we have enough to get by and a bit to put aside? Yes. Will we be happy? Exceedingly so, I think. We love our life and the direction it's headed. We're both far less stressed than we've been in years. We get to enjoy each other's company, spend tons of time together, and actually participate in the upbringing of our child. Ultimately, we decided CFM just doesn't get it. She's more concerned with what people think of her than she is about her own personal happiness. Personally, I think she's a deeply unhappy person. I guess what bothers me the most about CFM's comments isn't her readiness to be critical of STK's decision, but the belief that she should be critical at all.
Rather than celebrating STK's new venture, one of her family members offered criticism as she is wont to do. This family member believes the position is "beneath" STK. Instead, STK should be substitute teaching in the local school district. Uh, except that substituting would mean long daycare hours for TLO, that's a great idea! When STK and I talked about having a child, we made the decision to do whatever we could to be involved parents. For us that means minimizing daycare hours. Had we stayed in Colorado, STK would have kept her job in the local school district and I would have done adjunct teaching in the evenings. When I landed my position, one that entailed moving to an area with a much lower cost of living, we decided STK would adjust her work schedule. The critical family member (CFM) doesn't seem to understand our commitment to our child. Unless I miss my guess, CFM thinks STK is giving up her career for home and family.
We took a short hike Sunday afternoon and discussed CFM's criticism and our plan for the future. Unless a teaching position presents itself, STK and I will continue to balance work with TLO until he reaches school age. Will we have a ton of money? No. Will we have enough to get by and a bit to put aside? Yes. Will we be happy? Exceedingly so, I think. We love our life and the direction it's headed. We're both far less stressed than we've been in years. We get to enjoy each other's company, spend tons of time together, and actually participate in the upbringing of our child. Ultimately, we decided CFM just doesn't get it. She's more concerned with what people think of her than she is about her own personal happiness. Personally, I think she's a deeply unhappy person. I guess what bothers me the most about CFM's comments isn't her readiness to be critical of STK's decision, but the belief that she should be critical at all.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Wal-Mart Hates All People
Living in a small midwest town has its drawbacks. Like Wal-Mart. Despite intense local opposition, Wal-Mart forced itself into SMT a few years back. The result is low, low prices . . . at the expense of the employees and the taxpayers. Wal-Mart's presence also means local establishments carry a limited inventory. If Wal-Mart carries a product, you're less likely to see it in the local grocery, hardware, or specialty store. Oh, the local business owners could try and carry all the same products but would get killed in the pricing department. That means some products are difficult to come by if you refuse to shop in The Evil Empire of department stores. Take hair dye, for example. STK wants to dye her hair black but can't find any dye. When we ask at local establishments we hear, "We don't carry dye anymore. Try Wal-mart." Ugh.
I've been ranting about Wal-Mart for a couple years on this blog and I haven't set a foot in the establishment in going on five years. Even though the closest Target is over 50 miles away, I won't be stepping foot in The Evil Empire anytime soon. Yes, it's a major inconvenience to wait for our monthly out-of-town shopping trip, but I simply couldn't live with myself if I broke my vow to avoid Wal-Mart. Is Wal-Mart really that bad? How can low prices be bad for the consumer? Read away:
Wal-Mart Sucks
What's not to like about a company that underpays its workers, limit hours to avoid offering employees health benefits, discriminates against women, and bans media (namely books, magazines, and music) that includes "offensive material" or material critical of conservative Christian values? Some may be willing to overlook these insults in the name of lower prices, but I'm not. There isn't a better example of corporate greed at the expense of workers. I'll gladly deal with a little inconvenience and higher prices if it means giving the progeny of Sam Walton the metaphorical bird.*
*For the record, I have a difficult time giving any money to the Denver Nuggets' franchise. Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Nuggets, is married to one of the Wal-Mart heiresses.
I've been ranting about Wal-Mart for a couple years on this blog and I haven't set a foot in the establishment in going on five years. Even though the closest Target is over 50 miles away, I won't be stepping foot in The Evil Empire anytime soon. Yes, it's a major inconvenience to wait for our monthly out-of-town shopping trip, but I simply couldn't live with myself if I broke my vow to avoid Wal-Mart. Is Wal-Mart really that bad? How can low prices be bad for the consumer? Read away:
Wal-Mart Sucks
What's not to like about a company that underpays its workers, limit hours to avoid offering employees health benefits, discriminates against women, and bans media (namely books, magazines, and music) that includes "offensive material" or material critical of conservative Christian values? Some may be willing to overlook these insults in the name of lower prices, but I'm not. There isn't a better example of corporate greed at the expense of workers. I'll gladly deal with a little inconvenience and higher prices if it means giving the progeny of Sam Walton the metaphorical bird.*
*For the record, I have a difficult time giving any money to the Denver Nuggets' franchise. Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Nuggets, is married to one of the Wal-Mart heiresses.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Blogistential Crisis
For the past couple months, I've been thinking about my blog. While I feel okay with the "day in the life" style of posts that seem to dominate my little corner of the blogosphere, that's not why I started blogging. It was one of the reasons, but not the only reason. When I started blogging I envisioned Rhetorical Imprints as a place to practice my writing. Some of it would be fun writing, of course, but I really wanted to grapple with rhetorical studies, popular culture, politics, and spiritual practice. Most of that seems to have fallen by the wayside. These days, my blog reads more like Dear Diary than anything else. Bleh.
I'm hoping to return to a more diverse, and substantive, style of blogging. I'm also hoping to post more frequently. Best laid plans and all that . . .
I'm hoping to return to a more diverse, and substantive, style of blogging. I'm also hoping to post more frequently. Best laid plans and all that . . .
Friday, October 07, 2005
Feast This!
Appetizer--Name 3 qualities that are important to you in friendship.
Compassion. Trust. Dependability.
Soup--If you could dream about anything tonight, what would the subject matter be?
I'd dream about being a Jedi Knight, of course. A Green Lantern dream would work, too.
Salad--Do you usually make an effort to personally thank people who do favors for you?
Yep. I keep a stack of "Thank You" cards in the desk (and use them). STK and I had all the people who helped unpack the moving track over for dessert a while back.
Main Course--If you had to go out of town for an extended period of time, who would you trust to take care of your home and belongings?
Funny you should ask. We're leaving town in a few weeks and we've asked a very dependable student to house sit.
Dessert--How do you react to practical jokes when they're played on you?
If it's funny, I laugh. If not, I scowl.
Compassion. Trust. Dependability.
Soup--If you could dream about anything tonight, what would the subject matter be?
I'd dream about being a Jedi Knight, of course. A Green Lantern dream would work, too.
Salad--Do you usually make an effort to personally thank people who do favors for you?
Yep. I keep a stack of "Thank You" cards in the desk (and use them). STK and I had all the people who helped unpack the moving track over for dessert a while back.
Main Course--If you had to go out of town for an extended period of time, who would you trust to take care of your home and belongings?
Funny you should ask. We're leaving town in a few weeks and we've asked a very dependable student to house sit.
Dessert--How do you react to practical jokes when they're played on you?
If it's funny, I laugh. If not, I scowl.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Out Geeked!
Frakin' Nicholas Cage. I've been out geeked by a movie star? Several months ago, I revealed my attempts to name TLO "Obi-wan". My attempts failed. STK simply wouldn't go for it. She also rejected any association with Kyle Rayner, the hippest of the Green Lanterns. Why am I upset with Nicholas Cage, a movie star who really has nothing to do with my life whatsoever? Somehow, he convinced his wife to name their child ::wait for it::
Kal-El
How frakin cool is that? He gave his kid Superman's Kryptonian name! That is way too cool for school. Nick, there are days when I hate your acting (that eyes half closed thing doesn't do it for me), but you pegged out the geek-o-meter.
Bastard.
Kal-El
How frakin cool is that? He gave his kid Superman's Kryptonian name! That is way too cool for school. Nick, there are days when I hate your acting (that eyes half closed thing doesn't do it for me), but you pegged out the geek-o-meter.
Bastard.
Smorgasbord
The in-laws arrived today and they were bearings gifts. As long as they continue to bribe me with two pounds of Kaladi Coffee every time they enter our domicile, they can visit as often as they'd like. My cup runneth over with an El Salvador roast. Delicious. I'm a pushover for superior coffee. Sue me. STK and TLO will spend the next several days entertaining the 'rents. I have to work, of course. Still, STK and I will finally be able to workout together in the afternoons. In the pre-TLO years, we routinely visited the rec center together. When TLO entered the picture, we started working out at different times. Oh, we left him alone a couple of times but felt horribly guilty doing so. Kidding! Kidding!
School continues to go well. The first round of grading begins tomorrow. I'll have to grade 55 papers over the course of the next couple weeks ::stifles laughter:: Fifty-five papers sure beats the hell out of 230. Bring it on!
In other academic news, I'm reading The Dao of Rhetoric, a book that offers an Eastern perspective on the art of rhetoric. Even though I love the source material and respect the author for his new approach to rhetorical studies, I'm finding the book a bit simplistic. Combs, the author, scratches the surface regarding some intriguing ideas but just doesn't take his analysis far enough. I'm all about clarity and economy, but this guy takes these concepts to a new level. At a third of the way through, I'm hoping he digs deeper further along in the text. We shall see. Once I finish Dao, Nation of Rebels: Why Counterculture Became Consumer Culture is next in the cue.
I've also been invited to participate in an academic reading group. SMC is a liberal arts college. That means we, the faculty, don't have the opportunity to interact with graduate students. That's not entirely a negative thing--maybe I'll dissert on that at a later date. That said, several of us from Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Communication Studies decided to get together and do some reading/discussing on our own. Our first book is Butler's Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence. We're meeting once a month so the actual reading shouldn't be the frenzied, I-have-too-many-chapters-and-not-enough-time style of reading we all mastered in graduate school.
I understand Bush nominated a crony for the Supreme Court seat vacated my Sandra Day O'conor. Honestly, I can't even get myself excited about reading up on the pick. If I spend time reading up on her I'm sure I'll work myself into a frenzy over something over which I have absolutely have no power. I'll read up on her, discover she represents everything I despise about Bush and his administration, and go to bed wondering if there are any academic openings in Canada. The only solution is to avoid the political brouhaha for the next few weeks. I'll have to settle for reading Harriet Mier's blog.
School continues to go well. The first round of grading begins tomorrow. I'll have to grade 55 papers over the course of the next couple weeks ::stifles laughter:: Fifty-five papers sure beats the hell out of 230. Bring it on!
In other academic news, I'm reading The Dao of Rhetoric, a book that offers an Eastern perspective on the art of rhetoric. Even though I love the source material and respect the author for his new approach to rhetorical studies, I'm finding the book a bit simplistic. Combs, the author, scratches the surface regarding some intriguing ideas but just doesn't take his analysis far enough. I'm all about clarity and economy, but this guy takes these concepts to a new level. At a third of the way through, I'm hoping he digs deeper further along in the text. We shall see. Once I finish Dao, Nation of Rebels: Why Counterculture Became Consumer Culture is next in the cue.
I've also been invited to participate in an academic reading group. SMC is a liberal arts college. That means we, the faculty, don't have the opportunity to interact with graduate students. That's not entirely a negative thing--maybe I'll dissert on that at a later date. That said, several of us from Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Communication Studies decided to get together and do some reading/discussing on our own. Our first book is Butler's Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence. We're meeting once a month so the actual reading shouldn't be the frenzied, I-have-too-many-chapters-and-not-enough-time style of reading we all mastered in graduate school.
I understand Bush nominated a crony for the Supreme Court seat vacated my Sandra Day O'conor. Honestly, I can't even get myself excited about reading up on the pick. If I spend time reading up on her I'm sure I'll work myself into a frenzy over something over which I have absolutely have no power. I'll read up on her, discover she represents everything I despise about Bush and his administration, and go to bed wondering if there are any academic openings in Canada. The only solution is to avoid the political brouhaha for the next few weeks. I'll have to settle for reading Harriet Mier's blog.
Infinity of Space
Empty and calm and devoid of self
Is the nature of all things.
No individual being
In reality exists.
There is no end or beginning,
Nor any middle course.
All is an illusion,
As in a vision or a dream.
All beings in the world
Are beyond the realm of words.
Their ultimate nature, pure and true,
Is like the infinity of space.
-Prajnaparamita
From "The Pocket Buddha Reader," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2001.
Is the nature of all things.
No individual being
In reality exists.
There is no end or beginning,
Nor any middle course.
All is an illusion,
As in a vision or a dream.
All beings in the world
Are beyond the realm of words.
Their ultimate nature, pure and true,
Is like the infinity of space.
-Prajnaparamita
From "The Pocket Buddha Reader," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2001.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Holy Frak: Feast 64
The Feast, Friday, September 30
Appetizer--When was the last time you visited a hospital?
June 19, two days after TLO joined the world. I've been to a clinic a couple times since, but that's not really a hospital.
Soup--On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?
6.
Salad--Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily.)
Every lark breakfasts on worms.
Main Course--If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?
I'd probably start a local Star Wars club. There just aren't enough Star Wars geeks around here (that I know of). The name of the club would be SWAG (Star Wars: Unabashedly Geeky).
Dessert--What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?
Hardwood and linoleum. We have numerous bamboo rugs placed throughout the place, too.
Appetizer--When was the last time you visited a hospital?
June 19, two days after TLO joined the world. I've been to a clinic a couple times since, but that's not really a hospital.
Soup--On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?
6.
Salad--Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily.)
Every lark breakfasts on worms.
Main Course--If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?
I'd probably start a local Star Wars club. There just aren't enough Star Wars geeks around here (that I know of). The name of the club would be SWAG (Star Wars: Unabashedly Geeky).
Dessert--What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?
Hardwood and linoleum. We have numerous bamboo rugs placed throughout the place, too.
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