Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting.
–Alan Dean Foster
Category Archives: Humanities
Bookworm
Yep, I’ve read a lot of books in the past few years. This year is a record; I’ve never read as many before.
This is due in part to the fact that I’ve had lots of time to read. While I’m grateful for this, I do seek a change. A job, to be specific. When I get that job, I’ll have much less time in general, and this has caused me to reflect on what I most want to do with that time.
I loved rediscovering art in November. I love publishing this blog. I want to continue knitting. So reading, while it will still happen, will probably decrease. I console myself with the thought that I’ll save more money be reading less, since I won’t frequent the bookstores as much. (Ha! Self-delusion!)
But since I am still unemployed, this restriction in reading may not occur anytime soon. And if you’d care to take a gander at my library, just head right this way.
Books Read in 2005
Note: in process; this will be updated on 12/31.
* = recommended strike = don’t bother neither mark = it passed the time
Books Read in 2004
* = recommended strike = don’t bother neither mark = it passed the time
Books Read in 2003
* = recommended strike = don’t bother neither mark = it passed the time
Books Read in 2002
* = recommended strike = don’t bother neither mark = it passed the time
Judge Each Day
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.
–Robert Louis Stevenson
That Which
I haven’t read much Bertrand Russell. I came across his essay, Why I Am Not a Christian, when I was in my mid-twenties. Interesting and provocative. What intrigues me is that he, an atheist, uses the terms “heaven” and “spirit” in this quote. This is just a quote for thought, not a gauntlet thrown to start a debate about the merits or demerits of atheism, Christianity, or other religions.
That which exists through itself is called The Eternal. The Eternal has neither name nor shape. It is the one essence, the one primal spirit. Essence and life cannot be seen. They are contained in the light of heaven. The light of heaven cannot be seen. It is contained in the two eyes.
–Bertrand Russell
[update 12/13/05: The quote here is not, as far as I could tell, from the essay I mention. I found the quote on a random search and remembered the essay.]
The World is Weird
For the average man, the world is weird because if he’s not bored with it, he’s at odds with it. For a warrior, the world is weird because it is stupendous, awesome, mysterious, unfathomable. A warrior must assume responsibility for being here, in this marvelous world, in this marvelous time.
–Carlos Castañeda
I am uneasy with the term “warrior.” The online dictionary I use provides the definition:
One who is engaged in or experienced in battle.
One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict.
Do we need to frame our existence as an activity, cause, or conflict with our universe? Isn’t there another term to describe the type of person who finds the world stupendous, awesome, mysterious, and unfathomable? A couple of words that come to mind are “seeker” and “adventurer.” What words might you use?
Radiance Renewed Daily
God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illuminated by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason.
–Dag Hammarskjold
I am challenged to keep alive on a day I learn that a mother murdered her baby by putting him in the clothes dryer.
It hurts my heart and makes my gorge rise when I imagine it.
No Whit Less
It is a weakening and discoloring idea that rustic people knew God personally once upon a time but that it is too late for us. There never was a more holy age than ours, and never a less. There is no whit less enlightenment under the tree on your street than there was under the Buddha’s bo tree.
–Annie Dillard
Where Are You?
I have an existential map. It has ‘You are here’ written all over it.
–Steven Wright
The Genial Flame of Charity
I cherish the idea of advent, though I’m not a Christian practitioner of it. Yet the celebration of light, and the coming of it, is universal. This is a photo of a candle from my advent wreath.
It is, indeed, the season of regenerated feeling — the season for kindling, not merely the fire of hospitality in the hall, but the genial flame of charity in the heart.
–Washington Irving
On a Lighter Note
When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
Yo, Mapelba!
This is a shout-out to my friend who sent me her manuscript to read a couple months ago. She participated in NaNoWriMo and won. Mapelba exceeded the 50,000 word goal, ending up at slightly over 80,000 words. And she’s probably still going to tinker after a well-deserved rest.
I am so impressed with and proud of her. She’s married, has a two-year-old son, and works full-time, and she managed to accomplish this. She is a writer, indeed.
Well done, my dear. You are awesome.