I found this video on the subject of 'villain knights': Spanish peasants who were elevated to a lower knighthood during the Reconquista, essentially functioning as light cavalry on the frontier during the long reconquest of Spain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue7cqIOW48Q I recommend watching the video, but the short version is that while the Spanish conquered new territories from … Continue reading Villain Knights and Going Medieval
Friday Flotsam: The Annunciation, Profundity, and Rama
1. Today, of course, is the Solemnity of the Annunciation; the very day of Our Lord’s Incarnation, bringing with it a ‘weight of glory’ almost too great to bear. Certainly we tend to forget about it as often as may be, and I rather think many of us prefer it that way. Not only living … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: The Annunciation, Profundity, and Rama
Reflections on the Oscars
You may not know it, but apparently the Academy Awards are coming up. Personally, I forgot all about them because…well, they’re pretty much best forgotten at this point. Modern Hollywood giving itself awards for artistry and technical skill is like the Soviet Government announcing canonizations for Sainthood; it means nothing and everyone except maybe the … Continue reading Reflections on the Oscars
Low-Effort Blogging: Bob Newhart
Another low-effort blogging day, I'm outsourcing to the irreplaceable talent of Bob Newhart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow0lr63y4Mw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlFS-Dlfgkc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Oh1SI9lbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaUYQZR-y7I
Comparing Animation, Or What Happened to CG?
Is it just me, or has small-screen animation been deteriorating lately? I happened to see this clip of the Star Wars: Rebels TV show and...my goodness, this animation is pretty darn bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJo169NVMTw The characters not only look like they're made of sculpted rubber, but their movements are very, very awkward. There's a kind of … Continue reading Comparing Animation, Or What Happened to CG?
Poetry – “The Dying Christian to His Soul”
Vital spark of heav'nly flame!Quit, O quit this mortal frame:Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying,O the pain, the bliss of dying!Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife,And let me languish into life. Hark! they whisper; angels say,Sister Spirit, come away!What is this absorbs me quite?Steals my senses, shuts my sight,Drowns my spirits, draws my breath?Tell me, my soul, … Continue reading Poetry – “The Dying Christian to His Soul”
Words of the Saints: St. Patrick
From his Confessio: "So be amazed, all you people great and small who fear God! You well-educated people in authority, listen and examine this carefully. Who was it who called one as foolish as I am from the middle of those who are seen to be wise and experienced in law and powerful in speech … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. Patrick
Reflections on St. Joseph’s Day
Today is the Feast of St. Joseph; the man who taught God to be a man. Wading into the theology and imagery here would be intense work, so I’m going to limit myself to one subject (well, kind of). More and more it seems to me that God works in fractals: patterns repeated all the … Continue reading Reflections on St. Joseph’s Day
Friday Flotsam: Being Sick, Pope, and More Thrawn
1. I caught a bad cold last weekend which knocked me out entirely for two days and now is settling into a general, lingering annoyance. This led me into some very bad days for depression as well, partly because I tried to use the time to write only to find that, one way or another, … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Being Sick, Pope, and More Thrawn
Serpent's Den 