Was reading a little bit about Phyllis Wheatley the other day. For those who don't know, she was a slave girl taken from Africa when she was about five or six and who eventually got bought by a wealthy New York family. Realizing how intelligent she was, they taught her to read and write and … Continue reading Thought of the Day: Phyllis Wheatley and the Modern Age
Poetry – “The Defense of Lucknow”
IBANNER of England, not for a season, O banner of Britain, hast thouFloated in conquering battle or flapt to the battle-cry!Never with mightier glory than when we had rear’d thee on highFlying at top of the roofs in the ghastly siege of Lucknow—Shot thro’ the staff or the halyard, but ever we raised thee anew,And … Continue reading Poetry – “The Defense of Lucknow”
Saint of the Day: Bl. Peter To Rot
Just learned about this very interesting modern Blessed this week. Blessed Peter To Rot (pronounced 'toe-rote') was a catechist on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea, the son of the local chief, and a devoted husband and father who worked with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to spread the Gospel to … Continue reading Saint of the Day: Bl. Peter To Rot
Low Effort Blogging: The Two Altar Boys
Outsourcing to Brandon Vogt today with this old, but very amusing piece. The post is pretty good, but this anecdote is the best part, reproduced verbatim: The year was 1770, and in a small Italian church, two altar boys prepared for Benediction. Annibale Della Genga and Francesco Castiglioni entered the sacristy, put on their albs, and … Continue reading Low Effort Blogging: The Two Altar Boys
Friday Flotsam: Dr. Johnson versus Congress (Or, I’m Not Being So Nice This Time)
1. We’re done with the Fourth and heading toward the Fourteenth, so I feel like now’s the time to be a little harsher and more frank with regards the Revolution. 2. I did some reading of Dr. Johnson’s political tracts this past week, which I’d previously only given a rather cursory look over. I found … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Dr. Johnson versus Congress (Or, I’m Not Being So Nice This Time)
A Not At All Edifying Thought on the Feast of Ss. Cyril and Methodius
Today's the Feast of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavic peoples (hey, that’s me!). Among other regions, St. Methodius – who outlived his brother by several decades – evangelized Dalmatia, which makes me wonder… "So, Methodius, you're evangelizing Dalmatia! Any converts so far?" "Let’s see, last count...one hundred and one. By the way, … Continue reading A Not At All Edifying Thought on the Feast of Ss. Cyril and Methodius
Smart Appliances are a Stupid Idea
Great post from David Stewart here about his experience moving into a house with a ‘smart’ thermostat and why ‘smart’ appliances are a stupid idea in general. Recommend reading the whole thing and the comments. Rudolph Harrier makes an excellent point in the latter: that smart appliances are not actually intended for convenience, they’re meant … Continue reading Smart Appliances are a Stupid Idea
Superversive Again, and Other Thoughts
On Sunday I went on Superversive livestream again to continue talking Disney with Ben Wheeler, Anthony Marchetta, and Caroline Furlong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E56uDVZT3_Y&ab_channel=SuperversiveSF This one got a little heavier and heated in places, though still a good time overall. A good chunk of the first hour is spent discussing whether Mulan is better interpreted as a feminist … Continue reading Superversive Again, and Other Thoughts
Thoughts on “Twelve Angry Men”
One of the great American films is Twelve Angry Men, Sydney Lumet’s 1957 drama based on stage play about the deliberations of a jury in a murder trial. The facts of the case are presented entirely through dialogue as the jurors discuss the case. An eighteen-year-old boy from a rough neighborhood is accused of stabbing … Continue reading Thoughts on “Twelve Angry Men”
RE-POST: Why I Love ‘Independence Day’
For newcomers, I watch 'Independence Day' every year on the Fourth of July: the following is an old post on my great fondness for the film. When Independence Day came out, it was a huge hit, but ever since then it’s kind of become the poster-child for the big, dumb, CGI-fueled blockbusters of the … Continue reading RE-POST: Why I Love ‘Independence Day’
Serpent's Den 