7 Quick Takes, Take 12
Before reading these vague incoherencies, go take a look at how it should really be done.
:::: 1 ::::
Having already conquered the worlds of literature and computation, this week I move to seize control of the performing arts and creative design. Since my plans are already so far advanced as to make my victory inevitable, it can’t hurt to share my three-step plan:
- Master the realm of music by performing a karaoke solo of “An Old-Fashioned Love Song” after Easter dinner.
- Master the realm of graphic design by learning Photoshop on the fly and assembling a poster-sized photo collage for a competition in one five-hour work spree.
- Master the realm of dance by participating in a group performance ON STAGE of a locally-choreographed version of this song.
You may now tremble in fear.
:::: 2 ::::
At the Easter Vigil last Saturday night, I was very proud to stand as a sponsor for a graduate student being received into the Church. The next day, she posted pictures of her baptism and confirmation on Faceboo — and was almost immediately attacked by one of her Facebook friends for converting. She’s been continuing a dialogue with him on her Wall ever since, patiently responding to his rather cliched arguments about the evils of religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular.
My friend is doing a fine job of defending her choice. She thought things through very carefully before entering RCIA and has probably pondered belief in God and Christ more deeply than many converts have. I’m not worried about her new faith being shaken by her other friend’s comments; it’s just a shame that he can’t celebrate with her, or at the very least rejoice in her happiness. Isn’t that what friendship is for?
:::: 3 ::::
Spring finally seems to be asserting its authority here in Ithaca. Each year when that happens, there’s a week or two where the building where I work is surrounded by a forest of large, bright, impossibly fragrant blossoms on the trees. A day or two more of weather like this is all it should take. Cameras at the ready….
:::: 4 ::::
I watched the clip of Steven Colbert grappling with Bart Ehrman on Colbert’s show. Afterwards, I watched one of Erhman’s more formal debates on YouTube. I can’t say I’m very impressed by his arguments. And I tend to agree with a comment I saw somewhere in the discussion of these clips — I can’t remember whose, I’m afraid — questioning Ehrman’s position as chair of the Religious Studies department at UNC. Isn’t appointing an atheist to run Religious Studies akin to hiring a tone-deaf orchestra conductor, or picking someone who lacks a sense of taste to run your restaurant’s kitchen?
:::: 5 ::::
GTD tools won’t increase your productivity one whit if you don’t pay any attention to them.
:::: 6 ::::
A month from now, I’ll be on the other side of the world.
:::: 7 ::::
Does anyone make 3-D sunglasses? Or are all sunglasses three-dimensional? Hot orange juice should be the perfect caffeine-free pick-me-up for cold mornings, but nobody ever tries it. I’ve watched Koyaanisquatsi but not the other two. I use Facebook, but I still don’t like it.
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2 years ago