Why did no one tell me?
Apparently there is a 1996 movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Evita".
But wait it gets better. It has Madonna as Eva Peron and also stars Antonio Banderas. I think I may get to bed late tonight.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
engagements
it's spring again, so everyone is getting engaged. among them is jacquelyn, my best friend from high school. she and Christian got engaged just over a month ago.
that's her from five years ago, along with one of our other high school buddies, Ryan.
the wedding better not be until i get back to the States!
Friday, March 19, 2010
that's what she said
Some things people have thought about communication.
The word is not the thing.
This was one of the first things I learned as a budding young communication major.
"The word is not the thing" means that words are symbols. The essence of a chair is not the word "chair", "chaise", or the word for it in any other language. We gave it a name.
A word is a symbol means that words are things that we affix meaning to. A word doesn't tell us what something is- it just tells us what we choose to call it. Kind of like what Shakespeare was saying in his famous "a rose by any other name..."
It would follow that there are no words that are intrinsically good or intrinsically bad.
Language sets the barrier to thought.
This explores the power of language in shaping and controlling thought. The most famous theory on this is the Sapir/Whorf Hypotheses. Their theory suggests that one's language actually sets the parameters for thought. For example, can you think properly about something if you don't have a word for it? That idea, that language determines thought is called Linguistic Determinism.
Their theory is too strong for most in academia currently and instead there is talk of Linguistic Relativism. It says that rather than literally setting the boundaries of thought, language influences and shapes, as well as being a reflection of people's thoughts.
Does language limit thought or does language actually determine thought?
The word is not the thing.
This was one of the first things I learned as a budding young communication major.
"The word is not the thing" means that words are symbols. The essence of a chair is not the word "chair", "chaise", or the word for it in any other language. We gave it a name.
A word is a symbol means that words are things that we affix meaning to. A word doesn't tell us what something is- it just tells us what we choose to call it. Kind of like what Shakespeare was saying in his famous "a rose by any other name..."
It would follow that there are no words that are intrinsically good or intrinsically bad.
Language sets the barrier to thought.
This explores the power of language in shaping and controlling thought. The most famous theory on this is the Sapir/Whorf Hypotheses. Their theory suggests that one's language actually sets the parameters for thought. For example, can you think properly about something if you don't have a word for it? That idea, that language determines thought is called Linguistic Determinism.
Their theory is too strong for most in academia currently and instead there is talk of Linguistic Relativism. It says that rather than literally setting the boundaries of thought, language influences and shapes, as well as being a reflection of people's thoughts.
Does language limit thought or does language actually determine thought?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
they don't do that in england.
Apparently, St. Patrick's Day is a bigger deal in America than it is in England. Feel free to muse why.
My green jacket saved my from my pinch-aspiring American roommate.
yes, i post this alot
On my original blog, I think I've posted this upwards of two times.
But it's that time of year again, and I really like St. Patrick's Day. He just had this amazing life, and I can't wait to hear it from his own lips in heaven.
This prayer's authorship is attributed to St. Patrick.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayer of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightening,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison,against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
But it's that time of year again, and I really like St. Patrick's Day. He just had this amazing life, and I can't wait to hear it from his own lips in heaven.
This prayer's authorship is attributed to St. Patrick.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayer of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightening,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison,against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
a unifying theme
I am reading this book.
In one of those pre-chapter vignettes by way of introduction there is a short story. Someone tells the author that he is having difficulty figuring out what the unifying theme of his work is. After a bit of discussion, and after a few people have contributed what they think the unifying theme may be, someone else pipes up.
“How old are you, young man? Late twenties?" He turns to the others. "Fellows, he’s young. Why does he need a unifying theme?”
That is how I feel. I don’t have a unifying theme. Not for this present blog. Not for my life’s direction. Sorry.
Neither a vegan, a baker, nor mom-photographer I be.
I thought a lot of self-discovery was meant to be hammered out in adolescence, and we’d all know what we “want to be” by the time we are fifteen, but I am still working through it. Okay, I only know a few people who are convincedly doing what they think they are meant to be doing. But hey, the school system has to present us with some sort of model and motivation.
Besides the over-arching purpose for my life, I don’t have a clue about things. Sometimes I don’t know what my talents and gifts are. I am not even sure what tell people over small talk when they ask about my hobbies and interests. What am I interested in???
“Is it [the blog] informational? Is it girly? Is it deep? Is it funny?” I don’t know. “What does it all mean?” I don’t know. For heavens sake, I hope it's not cliche. Whatever. I am sure it’s not all for naught.
My best thoughts and revelations seem to come out of several related conversations and situations and information that at some point converges at an intersection of some new understanding. So this is a good thing. To keep at it anyhow.
To draw the analogy together, I am hoping that as I forge ahead with this blog and with my life that at some point some unifying theme will similarly emerge. Until then, I am having fun anyway.
The book, by the way, is Freakonomics.
In one of those pre-chapter vignettes by way of introduction there is a short story. Someone tells the author that he is having difficulty figuring out what the unifying theme of his work is. After a bit of discussion, and after a few people have contributed what they think the unifying theme may be, someone else pipes up.
“How old are you, young man? Late twenties?" He turns to the others. "Fellows, he’s young. Why does he need a unifying theme?”
That is how I feel. I don’t have a unifying theme. Not for this present blog. Not for my life’s direction. Sorry.
Neither a vegan, a baker, nor mom-photographer I be.
I thought a lot of self-discovery was meant to be hammered out in adolescence, and we’d all know what we “want to be” by the time we are fifteen, but I am still working through it. Okay, I only know a few people who are convincedly doing what they think they are meant to be doing. But hey, the school system has to present us with some sort of model and motivation.
Besides the over-arching purpose for my life, I don’t have a clue about things. Sometimes I don’t know what my talents and gifts are. I am not even sure what tell people over small talk when they ask about my hobbies and interests. What am I interested in???
“Is it [the blog] informational? Is it girly? Is it deep? Is it funny?” I don’t know. “What does it all mean?” I don’t know. For heavens sake, I hope it's not cliche. Whatever. I am sure it’s not all for naught.
My best thoughts and revelations seem to come out of several related conversations and situations and information that at some point converges at an intersection of some new understanding. So this is a good thing. To keep at it anyhow.
To draw the analogy together, I am hoping that as I forge ahead with this blog and with my life that at some point some unifying theme will similarly emerge. Until then, I am having fun anyway.
The book, by the way, is Freakonomics.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
optimism.
At this juncture in my life, I feel as though I have moved to a postmodern (things aren't getting better and better) view of things. I have stopped making lists and goals and aspirations. Except I did make one fun goal, recently. But only one.
It's more like take it as it comes right now. Which isn't usually me.
Instead of being eternally optimistic, I really grab on to when things are really good. A really good day. A simulating conversation. Actually reading a book.
Yesterday was the first day in a long time when I felt energized and enthusiastic. The first time in probably weeks. It was terribly exciting.
It carried over a bit into today. Stunning. Let's see about tomorrow.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
back in the city.
As a team, we spent the past week down in a little town just a few miles away from Dover, England (think cliffs, WWII, and the English Channel).
We swam in the Channel, and by swam, I mean jumped in and scrambled out of the freezing water. The beach isn't sandy at all, so it hurt like the dickens trying to walk out of the water with numb toes.
I apologize for talking about how I was switching blog locations and all and then going off and leaving for a full seven days.
One of the best things about the week was there was so much nice weather. We only had one rainy day out of the seven. For England, that is divine intervention.
Oh, and I've been hating my blog header for a while (withdrawals from trying to wean myself of wordpress. I still like you too, blogger). So this one will have to do until I can craft something I like.
We swam in the Channel, and by swam, I mean jumped in and scrambled out of the freezing water. The beach isn't sandy at all, so it hurt like the dickens trying to walk out of the water with numb toes.
I apologize for talking about how I was switching blog locations and all and then going off and leaving for a full seven days.
One of the best things about the week was there was so much nice weather. We only had one rainy day out of the seven. For England, that is divine intervention.
Oh, and I've been hating my blog header for a while (withdrawals from trying to wean myself of wordpress. I still like you too, blogger). So this one will have to do until I can craft something I like.
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