My latest piece for The Everyman went up today, where I get to talk a bit about Spy x Family: Following a devastating conflict some decades prior, a tense cold war persists between the nations of “Westalis” and “Ostania” (fictionalized versions of West and Easy Germany circa the 1960s). Ace Westalis spy ‘Twilight’ works tirelessly … Continue reading ‘Spy x Family’ at the Everyman
Author: DBreitenbeck
Friday Flotsam: School, Carrolls, and Sword Fight
1. Made it through my second week of teaching. I'm still finding it extremely draining, and it's a struggle to get the kids to start discussing stuff in most of the classes (my one 12th grade class is the best in that regard, but alas is the shortest one). But it's something, and I've at … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: School, Carrolls, and Sword Fight
Poem: “St. Philip Neri in His Mission”
In the far North our lot is cast, Where faithful hearts are few;Still are we Philip's children dear, And Peter's soldiers true. Founder and Sire! to mighty Rome, Beneath St. Peter's shade,Early thy vow of loyal love And ministry was paid. The solemn porch, and portal high, Of Peter was thy home;The world's Apostle he, … Continue reading Poem: “St. Philip Neri in His Mission”
Friday Flotsam: First Week Teaching, ‘The System’, and I Get a Review!
1. Had my first week teaching (only two days a week, thank goodness), and it went pretty well! I'm fortunate that these generally seem to be good, well-behaved kids, even the 7/8 graders, and I'm doing my best to keep them engaged and getting them thinking (teenagers get some odd ideas). So far the main … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: First Week Teaching, ‘The System’, and I Get a Review!
Poem – “Outsong of the Jungle”
BALOOFor the sake of him who showedOne wise Frog the Jungle-Road,Keep the Law the Man-Pack makeFor thy blind old Baloo's sake!Clean or tainted, hot or stale,Hold it as it were the Trail,Through the day and through the night,Questing neither left nor right.For the sake of him who lovesThee beyond all else that moves,When thy Pack … Continue reading Poem – “Outsong of the Jungle”
NC Commentary: Villain vs. Villain
My latest story commentary essay is up at Noble Cobra Magazine. Yes, I'm again talking about My Hero Academia, though this time I'm dealing with a part where it falls short by discussing its version of the "villain's rise to power" arc and comparing and contrasting it with what I think is a better done … Continue reading NC Commentary: Villain vs. Villain
Friday Flotsam: On Republics and Anime Girls
1. The purpose of government is to promote the common good. The great danger of any Republic is the loss of the sense of commonality between different parts of the populace. This, of course, can happen under any form of government, but it is a particular danger for Republics, because elected governments incentivize animosity and … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: On Republics and Anime Girls
The Dragon Creation and the Gift of Fire
Another bit of short fiction is up at Noble Cobra Magazine. This one is a little different; first that it's presented as a myth, and second that it's actually an excerpt from a work in progress. I don't want to say too much about it just yet, except that all the main characters are dragons … Continue reading The Dragon Creation and the Gift of Fire
Poem – From “An Essay on Man: Epistle 1”
Say first, of God above, or man below,What can we reason but from what we know?Of man what see we, but his station here,From which to reason, or to which refer?Thro' worlds unnumber'd, tho' the God be known,'Tis ours to trace him only in our own.He, who thro' vast immensity can pierce,See worlds on worlds … Continue reading Poem – From “An Essay on Man: Epistle 1”
Thomas Jefferson and Intellectual Humility
Note: This is a reconstruction of the post mentioned in this week's Flotsam: the one eaten by WordPress. Turns out I exaggerated a bit and the opening few paragraphs at least survived, though everything after the 'Council of Nicea' bit - that is, basically all of my own thoughts - is a reconstruction, and I … Continue reading Thomas Jefferson and Intellectual Humility
Serpent's Den 