1. I subjected myself to the trailer for Andy Serkis's Animal Farm, which looks incredibly bad in itself and to be a flat-out insult as an adaptation. The only joy in the experience came from looking at the video numbers: In case you can't see it, it reads: 7.15M subscribers113,000 views641 upvotes. At this point, … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘Animal Farm’ Trailer and ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’
Anime and Manga
Sunday Sundry: Mostly ‘Cells at Work’
1. My newest anime discovery is Cells at Work, a lighthearted edutainment series that personifies the cells of the body. The main characters are a rookie Red Blood cell, who delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, and a stoical White Blood Cell, who defends against germs. We also meet other cells, like the Platelets … Continue reading Sunday Sundry: Mostly ‘Cells at Work’
Sunday Sundry: A Little Politics and The Little Prince
1. This year was my first time reading The Little Prince, at least in full (I'd read sections of it before). That has already become one of my Golden Books; one of the most beautiful, dream-like descriptions of love and innocence that I've ever read. It's short, but as dense as solid gold. 2. "And … Continue reading Sunday Sundry: A Little Politics and The Little Prince
Friday Flotsam: ‘Frankenstein’, ‘City in the Sky’, and ‘Animal Farm’
1. Western commentators see Africa as nothing but a really big Alabama. And most forget the 'really big' part. 2. I'm reading Frankenstein for school. It's not my first time reading it, but it is my first time in a while. This time through is confirming my past assessment, which is that the film is … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘Frankenstein’, ‘City in the Sky’, and ‘Animal Farm’
Friday Flotsam: Corporal Punishment and Anne Shirley
1. One of the great, underappreciated benefits of having clearly defined roles for men and women is that they prevent direct competition between the sexes. Less competition means less resentment and less animosity 2. Equality naturally creates resentment, because one who values equality will always be on the look out for signs that someone somewhere … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Corporal Punishment and Anne Shirley
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Civil War, Some Anime and Music
1. In my judgment, when it comes to great men of American history, there is George Washington, there is Robert E. Lee, and there is everyone else. 2. My history class has finally gotten up to the Civil War (the second one), so I've been reading up on it to patch up my knowledge of … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Civil War, Some Anime and Music
‘Death Note’ and Hell (*Spoiler Warning*)
I will be spoiling the end of Death Note in this one. In the beginning of Death Note, the shinigami (death god), Ryuk warns Light that any mortal who uses a Death Note will never go to heaven or hell, hinting at a unique punishment for such a transgression. At the very end it is … Continue reading ‘Death Note’ and Hell (*Spoiler Warning*)
Friday Flotsam: Miracles, Art, Anime, Etc.
1. The big takeaway from my history classes this week was the story of St. Patrick engaging in a battle of the miracles against the druids of Ireland, including a memorable incident where the chief druid levitated with the aid of devils, whereupon St. Patrick prayed and sent the guy plumetting to his death. In … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Miracles, Art, Anime, Etc.
Friday Flotsam: 5th Century Italy, Manga, and Election Songs
1. Lately I've been learning some about the 5th-7th century in Italy, which is really a criminally under-discussed time period. Most popular histories more or less just jump from "sack of Rome" to "Dark Ages," as if nothing happened in between. But boy, did it ever! Like how we have a rare instance of one … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: 5th Century Italy, Manga, and Election Songs
Friday Flotsam: PT Conferences and Some Other Stuff
1. I had my very first parent-teacher conferences this week. They went pretty well overall; the parents were supportive and engaged, and we had a few fruitful conversations about what their children can do to improve. Though more often I just had to say "yes, Offspring is doing well in my class and not causing … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: PT Conferences and Some Other Stuff
Serpent's Den 