New site:  http://pastspresent.tumblr.com/

Moving

Yes, it's about that time where I get bored with my blog.  I've moved to another site, but I'm not sure if it's permanent.  If you want the address anyway, let me know (only a handful of people read this anyway, and I think they all know already).  

Birthday Pantheon

A recap of my birthday weekend:

Friday, January 25

*  Ate an entire frozen pizza

Saturday, January 26

*  Didn't leave the apt. until 5 p.m., and then to do laundry and go to Linens and Things and J.C. Penney's

Sunday, January 27

*  Don't remember leaving the apartment.  Fell asleep reading at 9:30 p.m., and decided not to fight it.  Awoke at 2:30 a.m. and could not fall back asleep until 4:00 a.m., waking back up at about 6:15 a.m.

Monday, January 28

* First day of school

Now, I'm not saying this was the worst birthday ever.  That would probably be my sixth birthday, 1989, when chicken pox forced me to cancel my party at Showbiz Pizza (now Chuck E. Cheese's).  It is, however, the latest in a string of uninspiring dies natalis celebrations.  

2007:  Can't complain about last year, as a bunch of friends took me out one night, then all gathered on my actual birthday for cake and whatnot.  The birthday on which I have been serenaded by a bald Mormon singing me "Happy Birthday" in Latin as a perfect operatic alto.  

2006:  Spent my birthday in my friend's apartment with a girl who turned out to be crazy.  I don't recall us doing anything but staring blankly at the wall, but I'm not sure.  Not a happy time for me (or my friend--that was rough).

2005:  This wasn't a bad birthday, as I was surrounded by friends, just memorable for all the wrong reasons.  Somebody decided it would be a good idea to spend the evening at a Norwood karaoke bar.  If you've ever been in Norwood, Ohio, or just close enough to smell it, you know that this was a bad idea.  First, Norwood locals doing karaoke is enough to turn even the strongest stomach.  Also, the pizza made everybody who ate it sick the next day.  Then there was poor Dr. Josh, who order a brandy and it came with a fruit fly.  He didn't throw a fit, just asked for another one.  The waitress apparently thought he said, "Ma'am, I love the insect in my drink!" because the second brandy came with a bug.   Also, I just found out today that the place burned to the ground (which is fishy considering who owned it, but I might get whacked if I used any names--I've already said too much).  

I'm not trying to sound ungrateful here for all the friends and family who have remembered my birthday.  It's not like I make a big deal out of my birthday, nor is this some passive-aggressive plea for others to do so.  Many of the lame things on this list are nobody's fault but my own.  Still, I can't hope but recognize my life is lacking a certain... je ne sais quoi.  

Currently Reading:  The Amber Spyglass, Philip Pullman (may be a post on this trilogy coming soon--I'm sure you're excited)

In case I forgot...

Why I decided to stay here in Cali for the entire break:

vs.

Almost makes it worth it to put up with the constant stream of cigarette smoke and reality television.

These United States

I've been homeless for three weeks now, and I'm about ready to head back to beautiful Sunderland, Mass., even if the weather there is going to be crappy for another few months.

First was the week in Denver (a few photos here) for my first job interview.  Of course, it's too early for them to know precisely what their needs will be next year, but, needless to say, they loved me.  My source at the school tells me they will need a Latin teacher and a Social Studies teacher for 2008 and beyond, so I am anticipating another phone call later in the year.  It seems like a great school, and I really enjoyed the city.  There are some wonderful people in Denver, plus Paddy is there.  Still, if it ends up being only one or two Latin classes, I'll keep looking for the right fit.  

Then this week the family went to the city of sin, Las Vegas, Nevada.  What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.  Not because it's so scandalous, but because when you go with your family, Las Vegas is pretty boring.  Still, we stayed at the Monte Carlo, so we were right on The Strip and got to explore all the famous casinos.  I did my share of gambling (blackjack mostly), and was up about 60% by the time we left, so I'd consider that a success.  I look forward to going back with friends, even though I was ready to punch somebody in the face by the time we left (I got tired of being offered show tickets, vacation packages, and whores).  

So now I have about a week before I head back for my final semester of school.  Whatever happens, I won't end up being a full-time student again, so I should try and enjoy it while I can.  Of course, I'm also going to enjoy finally making real money (if you have a joke about the average salary of a high school teacher, you can keep it, thanks).    

For my more academically-minded readers

There's a very interesting post at a NY Times blog about the role of arts and humanities education.  It's a bit long, but I'm going to quote part of it below.  I agree wholeheartedly that a humanities education, the kind that I will be offering to my students for many years, is worthwhile without having to be justified.  

The premise of secular humanism (or of just old-fashioned humanism) is that the examples of action and thought portrayed in the enduring works of literature, philosophy and history can create in readers the desire to emulate them. Philip Sydney put it as well as anyone ever has when he asks (in “The Defense of Poesy,” 1595), “Who reads Aeneas carrying old Anchises on his back that wishes not it was his fortune to perform such an excellent act?” Thrill to this picture of filial piety in the Aeneid and you will yourself become devoted to your father. Admire the selfless act with which Sidney Carton ends his life in “A Tale of Two Cities” and you will be moved to prefer the happiness of others to your own. Watch with horror what happens to Faust and you will be less likely to sell your soul. Understand Kant’s categorical imperative and you will not impose restrictions on others that you would resist if they were imposed on you.

It’s a pretty idea, but there is no evidence to support it and a lot of evidence against it. If it were true, the most generous, patient, good-hearted and honest people on earth would be the members of literature and philosophy departments, who spend every waking hour with great books and great thoughts, and as someone who’s been there (for 45 years) I can tell you it just isn’t so. Teachers and students of literature and philosophy don’t learn how to be good and wise; they learn how to analyze literary effects and to distinguish between different accounts of the foundations of knowledge. The texts Kronman recommends are, as he says, concerned with the meaning of life; those who study them, however, come away not with a life made newly meaningful, but with a disciplinary knowledge newly enlarged.

And that, I believe, is how it should be. Teachers of literature and philosophy are competent in a subject, not in a ministry. It is not the business of the humanities to save us, no more than it is their business to bring revenue to a state or a university. What then do they do? They don’t do anything, if by “do” is meant bring about effects in the world. And if they don’t bring about effects in the world they cannot be justified except in relation to the pleasure they give to those who enjoy them.

To the question “of what use are the humanities?”, the only honest answer is none whatsoever. And it is an answer that brings honor to its subject. Justification, after all, confers value on an activity from a perspective outside its performance. An activity that cannot be justified is an activity that refuses to regard itself as instrumental to some larger good. The humanities are their own good. There is nothing more to say, and anything that is said – even when it takes the form of Kronman’s inspiring cadences – diminishes the object of its supposed praise.

Author: Stanley Fish, "Think Again" blog, January 6, 2008

A dingo might eat their schnoodle

My father was asked today if he'd be interested in moving to Brisbane, Australia.  They've asked him before, but the situation is such now that they really need somebody there, and they would like it to be him.

Will they agree to it?  My money says, "No."  They've been discussing it all night, but it's so far, I think my mom is reluctant to do it.  

Still, I'm impressed they're even considering it.  My sister is still considered by Boeing to be a dependent, so she has the option of going with them or staying here (and Boeing would pay for her to visit).  My parents would get to come home once a year, but probably no more, considering flights from Australia are so expensive (and long).  I think my sister should stay and be the star of a reality show.  I can see the commercials now:

What happens when you leave a 22-year-old young woman alone in a house with three dogs.  In Orange County.  

We even have the mid-season shock planned.  My sister is interrupted in the midst of a wild OC party when there's a knock on the door.  Whose there?  Our grandmother.  Wackiness would ensue.  

Anyway, like I said, I don't think they'd actually do it.  Obviously I would, in my current position, since I am relatively unattached.  Would I be interested if I had just bought a house, had three dogs and elderly parents?  Hard to say.  Exciting to think about though. 

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