Friday, 7. August 2009, 17:52:53
Thoreau, summer, government, politics
...
Does it count as summer reading if school starts on Monday? My college starts freakishly early, but the advantage is that I'll be done with finals before November 20.
disclaimer-I make no political implication whatsoever. I think they're all liars with no concept of reality, regardless of party affiliation or political orientation. Now that the cynicism is over let's get you back to your regularly scheduled post:
The summer before my first stint at college I decided for no good reason, for no reason at all actually, that I would read a volume of the collected works of Thoreau some publisher compiled and I happened upon at the library. I sifted through a lot of boring and pretentious opinions about inane things like the kinds of berries in New England and the colors of leaves. It was actually very good training on how to skim and great preparation for the reading requirements of 'higher' education.
However, in addition to some interesting poems, I found a transcription of his lectures on civil disobedience to the state of Mass. and the federal government in order to hasten the abolition of slavery and end of the Mexican-American War. This is really cool stuff. It is credited with influencing thinkers like Ghandi and Dr. King-and don't forget of course- me.
My favorite quote. "But even suppose blood should flow. Is there not a sort of blood shed when the conscience is wounded? Through this wound a man's real manhood and immortality flow out, and he bleeds to an everlasting death. I see this blood flowing now." I make no effort to imply any current applications for his words. There are too many.
You can read it here.
muse
Monday, 16. July 2007, 05:25:10
skin, ow, burn, poisoning
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So Ladies and Gentleman who has sun poisoning??? This Muse.

I am woefully looking back at Friday's excursion to the city pool in my hometown (well where my family lives now). This girl will never listen to her younger sister again (who apparently received the Cherokee skin genes) and advised her older sister (who apparently received the Irish skin genes) that cloudy days are the best days to swim and get a tan so there's no reason to wear sunscreen. I should have known better. I don't tan. I burn then revert back to paleness.

My sister however, as we speak is merely more tanned from the outing.
I've never minded my fair skin or ever went to a tanning bed. It was one temporary afternoon of insanity.

On the bright side whatever the Doctor shot me up with was great on the inflamation and pain and might have slurred my speech for a bit.
Recovering should be fun. Taking meds, moving as little as possible, reading books, surfing opera.
Wear sunscreen! No matter what they say, just wear it for the love of Pete!
~muse~
P.S. like my illustrationing???
Wednesday, 27. June 2007, 19:56:37
quiet, summer, family, silent
...
Dichotomy
Strangely early for my loud family house
to be quiet.
Always someone up with the TV too loud and carrying
down the hall.
Lights flipped for random but continuous trips
to bathroom, kitchen, closet, car, laundry, trash,
looking for stuff.
Summer tired siblings fast asleep,
one holdout tries to wrestle the best words into
the best order.
Why quiet beds, and such early stillness?
I have an answer that I can't say.
I know why Dad depressed hushed
everyone to bed so early,
but I can't say.
and I write
and I wonder
What is more important, the truth, or an intact
silent family?
~muse~
Wednesday, 27. June 2007, 19:41:25
family, summer, music, goals
...
I don't know master Timm very well for myself, I've only become aquainted with his writings as we frequent the same blogs like our dear Loku and Alan and others, but I'm so impressed with his willingness to try and learn and fail and try again especially as I said earlier in his post about summer break before college.
I decided to try to think of what I wanted to learn or do this summer. I want to be a little more reliable, be more there even when in weakness or depression its hard. But as for skills, I'm studying Greek on my own in preparation for when I take it as a class this fall if that counts as a skill. I went to music festival a few weekends ago and was very inspired and I want to spend more time playing my guitar and learning enough so that I might be able to write my own songs to sing. I love to sing and I love to write so we'll see what happens there. I do also want to spend some time re-personalizing my blog appearance again. I liked it before but it got all jabberwockied when the templets on opera were updated.
I've been sitting with my Grandma in the hospital for some of this span of time that I didnt' post. She had heart failure and also Alzheimers and she couldn't stay there alone. She didn't understand what was happening. I don't know if it helped having someone there but now she's back home again and things are back to relative normal.
I have some great pictures of the Kentucky sky and of
's from the ST Louis Zoo to post if I ever get my camera, cable, and computer in the same place! ~muse~
Wednesday, 13. June 2007, 06:37:59
summer, plans, grown up, high school
...
It is very solidly summer now. My spring semester ended in mid-May. I took a summer class which I'm not quite finished with the homework for, but there's time left for that.
I spent 4 hellish days as a chaperone for my younger sister's high school show choir trip to St. Louis, Missouri. It was fun to be with my sister and the kids in her choir are a lot of fun. The 'real' adults made the trip frustrating. I look younger than I am and I spent most of the time with my sister so although I've been out of high school for six years that negated my status as a 'real' adult or so I was told. Oh well. I had fun, despite childishly wanting to scream "Leave me alone I'm a grown up!!!" Even though high school educators do not see it, The bank, my university, and the Discover Card people all seem to know I'm a grown up although at times I wish they didn't!
I'm leaving later today for a music festival. It should be a lot of fun. I hope to take some pictures of the Kentucky countryside, study some Greek between bands and spend time with my family.
As for the rest of my summer . . .
in late July I'm taking another summer class and other than that I really don't know. I endeavor to spend some time with my grandparents who are failing and lend a hand to my Grandfather. My Grandmother has Alzheimers and it is hard on him to be the primary caretaker in his health. I love them both very much. I can't imagine my life without them and I dont' want to miss this chance.
I'm a little ashamed at all the days I've spent sleeping in and watching TV already. I am inspired by AzureTimm's post here as he is finishing high school and looking at things he wants to learn in the time before he starts further education. I'm going to try to come up with some goals in honor of Timm's graduation. but its 2:36 am so that's going to have to be continued . . .
~muse~