Monthly Archives: August 2007

These days…

…sunlight slowly cooks the Earth and one has to hide from it a bit.One would think the light is an opportunity, and that the outdoors should be reveled in. This would be true if it weren’t for the intensity of the light.It isn’t as if the light does no good. Rain will fall and green

The USA at the Opera

America a world leader in opera? Doesn’t surprise meWhat is interesting to me is how classical music generally isn’t terribly appreciated. Is this just a fad being documented in the article?I should say that I only got into opera after 1) years of piano 2) years of listening to classical music 3) formal vocal training

Is This Stuff Really Scholarship? This Can’t Be Real

Please assess this, and tell me it’s some sort of joke It would seem to me that the “economic-historical” thesis that the Industrial Revolution occurred because of a change in human evolution could be defeated merely by arguing that a change in ideas occurred earlier. “The Wealth of Nations” was published in 1776; a certain

On The Beatitudes and The Commandments

Way too long, but old and lying around and I thought I’d repost it. The arguments get very confused at the end. We have both Beatitudes and Commandments handed down to us in the Bible. Since Jesus proclaims in Matthew 5:17 that He has not “come to abolish the law or the prophets… but to

Is Insisting On Creativity a Nonsensical Idea?

All this “we need to create an atmosphere where innovation thrives” talk strikes me as empty.And yet – why should it strike me as empty? There are areas where innovation is necessary. Try being Steve Nash or a jazz musician. Old problems demand new solutions. Better ways of doing things are always required.It is precisely

Links, 8/07

I’m a bit better. Just tired a lot and the asthma, while it has eased up, still sucks. Can definitely walk and talk though. Two education links: (h/t Amber) Ah yes, the joys of teaching in an NYC public school Speaking of which, perhaps the record of Mike Bloomberg might have to be reconsidered Also,

My Wrists and Hands Are Hurting Because All I Do When Sick Is Type…

…and I’m not even on IM or anything like that, because that requires too much concentration.I have got to cut down on the typing and do some exercises before I visit the computer. These typing injuries are going to be the end of me.The asthma got worse from yesterday to today – peak flow results

The Homeric Challenge: On Keats’ "On first looking into Chapman’s Homer"

On first looking into Chapman’s Homer John Keats Much have I travell’d in the realms of gold, And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; Round many western islands have I been Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. Oft of one wide expanse had I been told That deep-brow’d Homer ruled as his demesne: Yet

Went To The Doctor, Of Course, Just as the Lungs Cleared Up

Things are much better – there’s still some phlegm and coughing and I can’t speak with anywhere near full power – but the death grip on the lungs that was really worrisome went away this morning. As I was going to the doctor I felt a lot better.I’m kinda ticked having gone to the doctor

You Have a Complicated Blog, And You Want It To Be Popular. Should You Change Anything?

This blogpost is for readers of problogger.net who are interested in the 31 Days to Building a Better Blog series. Those of you who are regular readers can feel free to skip this, I’ve told you all this stuff before.1. Practical advice If you haven’t yet, take some time to register with some services to