1. From today's sermon: St. Augustine said that, "Peace is the tranquility of Order." That's a line to build a frame of life on! And, as you can tell by the fact that this is going up two days late (again), I lack order in my life. Something I need to work on. 2. Back … Continue reading Sunday Flotsam: More Teaching and Some Fire Thoughts
Current Events
Wednesday Politics: Post-Election Thoughts
First I have to get this out of the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgWr3hNXPhk And this: My main reaction has been simply an appreciation of the storybook quality of the events. Six months ago I would have said that Trump didn't stand a chance in Hell of being re-elected, and that the smartest thing he could have done … Continue reading Wednesday Politics: Post-Election Thoughts
Some ‘West Side Story’-Based Immigration Thoughts
My school's going to be doing West Side Story this year for its spring musical, and accordingly I revisited the film version last night (the Robert Wise version, naturally). The story prompted some thoughts. The set up is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet among the street gangs of New York City, with the conflict … Continue reading Some ‘West Side Story’-Based Immigration Thoughts
Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
My first Everyman post in a while is now up. It's a foray into contemporary politics, looking for historical parallels. Specifically, I look at the likelihood of America dissolving into another civil war by comparing it to one of our previous ones: More and more the idea is in the air that the United States … Continue reading Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
Friday Flotsam: Moving Cross Country, History in the Making, and Dickens
1. Well, this was certainly a week. For those who are just joining us, last weekend I moved cross-country, from Michigan to Arizona to take up a teaching post. It was three days' driving, and a chance to see more of the country than I yet have. The route took us, among other things, right … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Moving Cross Country, History in the Making, and Dickens
Saturday Flotsam: Arizona, Anne, and a Shooting
1. Started working on this yesterday, then completely forgot about it. 2. This week I went out to Arizona to shop for apartments. My biggest thrill is that there are actual mountains visible from where I'm going to be living (at least from the city: not sure about the apartment itself). We don't have any … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Arizona, Anne, and a Shooting
At the Everyman: The Battle to Stop Killing Games
My first piece in a while is up at The Everyman, giving a rundown of Ross Scott's efforts to end the practice of killing games: In summary, video game companies are destroying the products that they have previously sold to their customers without providing any compensation. One does not have to be a gamer to … Continue reading At the Everyman: The Battle to Stop Killing Games
Passing on an Appeal: Help Stop Game Destruction and Preserve Ownership
I almost never do things like this, but I think this is an exception. No, not the most important issue in the world (by a long shot), but it's one that actually has some meat. I'm not much of a gamer myself (just don't have the time right now), though I respect video games as … Continue reading Passing on an Appeal: Help Stop Game Destruction and Preserve Ownership
In Which I Defend My Much-Disliked Former Employer
I find this funny: I have no love for my former employer, United Wholesale Mortgage, for many reasons, but this strikes me as too patently absurd not to laugh at. Apparently, someone's suing them for racial discrimination. See the full article here. I'm sure this has happened plenty of times, but if you knew the … Continue reading In Which I Defend My Much-Disliked Former Employer
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Gun Control and Melancholy
1. Doing a little better than last week, though still struggling with melancholy and difficulty making myself be productive. 2. The shooting in Maine yesterday actually happened close to where my sister lives. She and all her friends are safe, thank God, but please pray for everyone involved and everyone in the area, who are … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Gun Control and Melancholy
Serpent's Den 