God of our fathers, known of old,Lord of our far-flung battle-line,Beneath whose awful Hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine—Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,Lest we forget—lest we forget! The tumult and the shouting dies; The Captains and the Kings depart:Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart.Lord God of Hosts, be … Continue reading Poetry – ‘Recessional’
Words of the Saints: St. John Henry Newman on Some Difficulties
Yet not a little may be said in explanation of a step, which so many of his admirers and well-wishers deplore. I own to a deep feeling, that Catholics may in good measure thank themselves, and no one else, for having alienated from them so religious a mind. There are those among us, as it … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. John Henry Newman on Some Difficulties
Thoughts on ‘Sing 2’
I liked Sing a lot more than I expected, and in fact found that it only got better upon reflection. So, naturally, I decided to check out the sequel to see if they managed to keep to the same level of quality. Honestly, this one's even better. Some time after the events of the first … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘Sing 2’
Friday Flotsam: Another Odd Fact, Villains, and Agatha Christie Quotes
1. An odd rollercoaster of a week; I had some days of great consolation and happy productivity, and others of intense depression and extreme lethargy, where I simply could not seem to get anything done. At the moment I’m mostly okay, but yeesh, I really feel the need of a change. 2. Got into an … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Another Odd Fact, Villains, and Agatha Christie Quotes
Niceness is Fun
When H.P. Lovecraft Met Samuel Johnson
Well, this is a find: it isn't often you encounter two of your favorite writers meeting face to face, especially when the one (supposedly) was born over a century after the other died. A Reminiscence of Dr. Samuel Johnson is one of Mr. Lovecraft's earlier works (published in 1917, the same year as Dagon), in … Continue reading When H.P. Lovecraft Met Samuel Johnson
A Quick Primer on the British Aristocracy
So, you're reading a classic regency novel and wondering why the slimy cousin is due to inherit the estate. Or you're writing an imitation regency-romance and are wondering how the plucky, impoverished heroine ought to address the darkly handsome, yet trouble count (hint: if he's a an English peer, he isn't a count). Or you're … Continue reading A Quick Primer on the British Aristocracy
Low-Effort Blogging: A Breakdown of ’12 Angry Men’
12 Angry Men is one of the great American dramatic films and an absolute master-class in writing: an enthralling story set almost entirely in one room and consisting of nothing but, well, twelve very different men debating back and forth. It's what happens when you have a first-class director (Sydney Lumet) leading a first-class cast … Continue reading Low-Effort Blogging: A Breakdown of ’12 Angry Men’
Poetry – “The Charge of the Light Brigade”
Half a league, half a league,Half a league onward,All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.“Forward, the Light Brigade!Charge for the guns!” he said.Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade!”Was there a man dismayed?Not though the soldier knew Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but … Continue reading Poetry – “The Charge of the Light Brigade”
Sunday Thoughts: On Humility
I think one of the biggest challenges in religion that we face today is getting into the subordinate mindset. At least I find it so. Between science and liberalism, we're used to standing in an ostensibly superior position, where our judgment and our opinions are what really matter. We expect to be able to 'see … Continue reading Sunday Thoughts: On Humility
Serpent's Den 